Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I appreciate Mr. Rutherford putting together tonight's Special Order.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Racine County Sheriff Deputy Eric Schneider for his heroic actions on March 18.

While on duty, Deputy Schneider rushed to the scene of a house fire. He knocked on all of the doors and windows, yelling to see if anyone was inside.

A man came out of the house, but without regard for his own safety, Deputy Schneider entered the burning house to check if there were more people inside. Risking his life, he found a man who was unconscious. Deputy Schneider dragged him out of the house and saved his life.

Deputy Schneider is a hero. We are fortunate to have brave men and women like Deputy Schneider protecting us.

Madam Speaker, I thank Deputy Schneider. I commend him for his actions.

Madam Speaker, when law enforcement officers put on their uniforms and badges, they do not know if they will return home after their shift. Their job is dangerous. Too often, they sacrifice their lives to strangers.

Over the past year, Wisconsin has lost three police officers in the line of duty. Those heroes died while protecting us from harm.

We will never forget them. We will not forget their service. We will not forget their bravery.

We remember:

Officer Charles Irvine, end of watch, June 7, 2018;

Officer Michael Michalski, end of watch, July 25, 2018; and

Officer Matthew Rittner, end of watch, February 6, 2019.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of our hardworking D.C. office interns, Kyler Reese. Kyler was born and raised in Virginia and is working towards a concentration in Sports Management from George Mason University.

Our office was fortunate to have Kyler as part of the Gregg and Livingston Harper Congressional Internship Program for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. Kyler lit up the office with his smile and energy, and enjoyed learning from staff and helping with our mail program.

We'll miss having Kyler in the office and wish him all the best in the future. On behalf of Wisconsin's First Congressional District, we thank Kyler for his help.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of our hardworking D.C. office interns, Colton Scrudder. Colton is a native of Coppell, Texas and studies finance at Georgetown University. He has been with our office since January. Colton was a great help getting our office up and running.

From drafting letters and memos, to giving Capitol tours, Colton was always eager to assist. Colton is an intelligent, diligent young man who aspires to continue serving his community.

We'll miss having Colton in the office and wish him all the best in the future. On behalf of Wisconsin's First Congressional District, we thank Colton for his help.

Madam Speaker, this weekend, we say goodbye to a Burlington legend, a man who exemplified the Wisconsin spirit. A farmer, educator, businessman, president of the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and UN delegate, Dr. Robert Spitzer dedicated his life to bettering the nation and our Southeast Wisconsin community.

Dr. Spitzer's reach and knowledge was not limited to Wisconsin--or the United States. In nearly every aspect of his life, Dr. Spitzer's commitment to agriculture and education is evident. Dr. Spitzer served as head of the U.S. State Department's Food for Peace program in the 70s and later as the U.S. delegate to the United Nations' World Food Program. These programs have helped billions of people worldwide gain access to food sources. Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Spitzer became the third president of the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Under his leadership, MSOE expanded its programs, rose enrollment, and became internationally recognized. Dr. Spitzer also spent more than two decades at Murphy Products Co., an agribusiness in Burlington, Wisconsin.

To Dr. Spitzer's wife, Delores, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, our prayers are with you. Burlington, our state, and nation are stronger because of Dr. Spitzer's innovative spirit and expertise. His passion and legacy will be remembered for generations.

Mr. Speaker, we must set a vote on USMCA.

Wisconsin farmers are struggling. Low milk prices and limited access to international markets are hurting our farmers.

NAFTA was implemented over 25 years ago. Farming, technology, and markets have changed. It is time for a modern trade deal. It is time to protect workers and farmers.

I recently met with Wisconsin's agricultural industry in Burlington, Wisconsin, and there was one takeaway from our meeting: The USMCA will help Wisconsin's farmers. Our farmers will see increased access to markets. Our products will be able to compete on the global stage. Our workers will have the opportunity to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, let's vote on USMCA. Wisconsin farmers need our help.

Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of National Former POW Recognition Day and the 77th anniversary of capture of U.S. soldiers on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines to the Imperial Japanese Army and the beginning of the Bataan Death March.

In November 1941, 99 soldiers from my hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin arrived on the Bataan Peninsula. These soldiers were known as the ``Janesville 99'' and composed Company A of the U.S. Army 192nd GHQ Light Tank Battalion. Less than three weeks after arriving to the Philippines, on December 8, 1941, Imperial Japan attacked.

For the next four months, out-gunned and under-supplied, sick and starving, these brave Wisconsinites fought the Battle of Bataan against a substantial Japanese invasion force. On April 9th, they were captured, tortured, and subjected to the Bataan Death March.

Only 35 of the original Janesville 99 returned after the War. This is a solemn reminder of the bravery and selfless sacrifices our service members make for our freedom. In Downtown Janesville, there is memorial to

honor the Janesville 99. We must never forget our local heroes.

When President Ronald Reagan created the permanent National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day on April 9, he said: ``. . . It is truly fitting that America observe April 9 in recognition of our former prisoners of war; that date is the 46th anniversary of the day in 1942 when U.S. forces holding out on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines were captured. Later, as prisoners of war, these gallant Americans were subjected to the infamous Bataan Death March and to other inhumane treatment that killed thousands of them before they could be liberated. In every conflict, brutality has invariably been meted out to American prisoners of war; on April 9 and every day, we must remember with solemn pride and gratitude that valor and tenacity have ever been our prisoners' response.''

Today, we recognize those who the fought the impossible and endured the unimaginable for freedom from tyranny and oppression. I thank all our POWs for their sacrifice. May the Janesville 99 rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, where is the proposed budget plan? We just voted to approve the use of the Capitol Grounds for a soapbox derby, but we can't vote on the budget?

Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the primary responsibility of creating spending priorities for the Nation. The President submitted his budget weeks ago. Rather than fulfilling this obligation to govern, House leadership is asleep at the wheel.

It is irresponsible to not allow us to vote on a budget resolution. We are more than $22 trillion in debt. We can't continue this broken process. The American people deserve to see the Speaker's spending priorities and know where taxpayer dollars are going to be spent.

Mr. Speaker, I say to Speaker Pelosi, show me your budget. Let's vote on a budget. Let's get to work.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a young, bright, and talented student from Wisconsin's First Congressional District, Aayush Karan of Muskego. A student at the University School of Milwaukee, Aayush is in Washington this week as one of the top 40 finalists--and the only finalist from Wisconsin--in the nation for the most prestigious science competition for high school seniors, the Regeneron Science Talent Search.

His Regeneron Science Talent Search mathematics project untangled a mystery in knot theory. Knot theory has puzzled mathematicians for years and advancements in the theory could help our understanding of DNA. In addition to his studies, Aayush runs cross country and plays the piano.

On behalf of Wisconsin's First Congressional District, I congratulate Aayush for his incredible achievement and wish him all the best in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ken Krause, Muskego High School's head football coach. Ken was nominated by the Green Bay Packers as a contender for the 2018 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award. This national honor is given to high school coaches for their character, leadership, and commitment to player health and safety. Ken's dedication to his players and community is evident to those in Southeast Wisconsin and throughout the state.

A West Allis native and West Allis Central High School and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater alum, Ken began his coaching career at the age of 19 and became a head coach at 23 years old. This past season, Ken led the Muskego High School football team to its first WIAA Division I State Championship title after a perfect 14-0 season. Ken was also named the 2018 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association/Green Bay Packers Coach of the Year.

I am proud to recognize Ken for his successes and dedication to his players. On behalf of Wisconsin's First Congressional District, I thank Ken for being a role model to young players, for helping them reach their full potential on and off the field, and for his contributions to our community.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Ken, his wife Julie, and their four sons, Cody, Dylan, Aiden, and Ashton for this great honor and achievement. Go Warriors.

Madam Speaker, I am frustrated. For 26 days, critical functions of the Federal Government have been nonoperational. Coastguardsmen have not been paid, and there is no end in sight.

We must work together to pass a bill, end the shutdown, and fund security measures at our borders. Put all 435 of us in a room with no phones, no TV, until the job is done.

I came from the private sector. In the private sector, you do not leave until the job is done.

Is our job done here in Washington? Did we end the shutdown? Did we adequately fund border security? The answer is no, we have not.

House leadership has refused to bring any serious attempt to open the government and address critical security needs to the House floor. Rather than playing political games with government funding, let's work on solutions.

I am ready to stay here until we get the job done. Let's get to work.