Floor Statements

I certainly thank the chairman for yielding the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I strongly support the Head Start program, and I am so hopeful that the House will pass this bill today and, certainly, that the United States Senate will take it up as well.

Head Start is a program that helps American children get the extra help that they need at an early age. I'll tell you, you can talk to any mother or grandmother. You don't need some scientific study to tell you that this program, an early intervention, is absolutely critical to making sure that every child can optimize their individual potential and to achieve their own opportunities.

During this shutdown, Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot about ObamaCare, but this bill has nothing to do with ObamaCare, absolutely zero to do with ObamaCare. This bill is about America's children, about Head Start. There are no strings attached. It just funds Head Start.

Now, I know that many of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle say that they can't support any funding bill unless they get exactly what they want, which is an entire continuing resolution to finance the entire government. They want exactly what they want, otherwise they can't do this kind of a thing. And yet, it is interesting to note that they call Republicans ``absolutists.''

Fortunately, Mr. Speaker, many others on the other side of the aisle will support this funding bill for Head Start, as they have supported these other funding bills that we have been passing since the beginning of the shutdown, in a bipartisan way.

President Obama and the Senate majority leader keep saying that they will not negotiate, but I sincerely hope, Mr. Speaker that they will negotiate and that we can go to a conference committee, that we can work out our differences, that we can stop the shutdown, because to just keep saying, as the President keeps saying and the Senate Majority Leader keeps saying, that they will not negotiate on funding the government and they will not negotiate on raising the debt ceiling, I do not believe, Mr. Speaker, that that is a proper way forward. Certainly, on issues like American children, we can put politics aside.

I thank the gentleman for yielding the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in very strong support of the Food and Drug Safety Act. The bill we are debating this afternoon would provide immediate funding for the Food and Drug Administration, which is, of course, the agency in charge of the safety and stability of our Nation's food supply and our medicine supply as well.

Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve an answer to a couple of simple questions. First of all, will Congress actually take action now to secure and to inspect our Nation's food supply? Secondly, will Congress take action now to secure our Nation's medicine supply?

I know that many on the other side of the aisle will once again oppose this legislation because they say they need to have an entire government funding bill or else nothing will be funded. Yet, they call Republicans ``absolutists.'' However, many on the other side of the aisle will recognize these legitimate concerns and will help us pass this important funding. It's time for the Senate to act on this and the other important funding bills that have passed with broad bipartisan majorities.

Mr. Speaker, the Senate majority leader and the President cannot continue to say that they will not negotiate on ending this government shutdown. They must stop holding so many important issues hostage to their absolutist demands. I say let's go to a conference committee now, let's negotiate in a bipartisan way, and let's stop this government shutdown.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill which will make sure that Federal workers who are furloughed because of the shutdown are paid; but I would also point out that the average salary of a Federal worker is $78,500, and so what I don't understand is why my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, how they can decide which of the funding bills that we have passed during this shutdown are actually worthy of their support, because this week they said ``no'' to opening up our national memorials or opening up our national parks, like Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon, but they're saying ``yes'' to paying Federal workers. They said ``no'' to veterans benefits, but ``yes'' to paying Federal workers; ``no'' to women and babies on food assistance; ``no'' to children with cancer treatments, but ``yes'' to paying Federal workers; ``no'' to the National Guard and Reserve, but ``yes'' to other Federal workers.

Clearly it is time for both sides, Mr. Speaker, to sit down in a conference to negotiate a compromise in a bipartisan manner and to end this shutdown.

Madam Speaker, I certainly thank my colleague for yielding the time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in very, very strong support of the Nutrition Assistance for Low-Income Women and Children Act.

You know, much of the controversy that's been surrounding this government shutdown has really been focused on ObamaCare. We keep talking about ObamaCare, et cetera. But this bill that we are considering right now has absolutely nothing to do with ObamaCare. Nothing. The only thing at issue in this bill is will we help provide supplemental nutrition programs for American mothers, their babies, and their children, period. That is the issue before us today.

Now I know that many of my friends on the other side, Madam Speaker, are going to say that they oppose this legislation because they need to have an entire government funding bill or nothing at all. And I would just note, when they say that each and every time, they then accuse us of being absolutists. But they will not accept anything, except an entire government funding bill. I also know that many on the other side of the aisle will look to their hearts and will support this bill. And we will pass this bill with very strong bipartisan support.

I certainly hope that the leaders in the Senate will look as well at the very broad bipartisan support that we will have for this bill and that they will take it to heart as well and take it up.

Madam Speaker, more than half the babies that are born in my great State of Michigan are enrolled in the WIC program, and currently, the State of Michigan is only able to sustain this program for the next few weeks.

I would ask my colleagues, again, to look to your heart, look to your heart. We're not talking about defunding ObamaCare or anything like that. We are talking about women and their children and their babies. I would hope that we can join together today across the aisle, pass this bill, and see to it that mothers and infants and children in Michigan and all across America get the support that they need.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this legislation, the Pay Our Guard and Reserve Act.

The first and foremost responsibility of the Federal Government is to provide for the common defense. That is actually in the Preamble of our Constitution. Since our Nation's birth, some 237 years ago, the National Guard has been at the foundation of our common defense.

Since 9/11, Madam Speaker, we have seen the largest call-up to active service of our National Guard and Reserve since World War II. They actually make up about 30 percent of everybody who is in theater. The men and women of the Guard and Reserve have always answered freedom's call with bravery and with honor. The enemies and their bullets make no distinction between the regular Armed Forces and the Guard and Reserve, so it is beyond me to understand why this Congress would do so.

We have a duty to make certain that those brave men and women have the training that they need to serve in the defense of our freedoms and to make certain that they are paid for their service. Vote ``yes'' for the National Guard and Reserve. Vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

I certainly thank my colleague for yielding the time.

Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, just 3 days ago, this House unanimously passed the Pay Our Military Act. The Senate unanimously passed the same bill, and the President signed it into law.

That was 3 days ago. That legislation guaranteed that all members of our Armed Forces would receive their pay for their service during any government shutdown. And that law also applies to full-time Guard and Reserve members. Yet Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has improperly furloughed countless Guardsmen and -women across the country, in violation of the intent of that law.

Mr. Speaker, today, a bipartisan group of myself and my colleagues will be sending a letter to Secretary Hagel demanding that he enforce this law properly and to send our Guardsmen and -women back to work.

Today, we will also consider legislation that will provide for funding to make certain that the Guardsmen on inactive status are paid as well and allowed to continue to train during a government shutdown. This readiness is absolutely essential to the protection of our great Nation. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel is needlessly furloughing Guardsmen who are essential to defending our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, President Obama sent a letter to Federal workers telling them they should not be used as punching bags, but that is exactly what his administration is doing to members of our National Guard.

In fact, this is the same thing this administration did when the sequester was enforced.

They immediately shut down the White House to tours.

They scared the public into believing that their travel plans would be interrupted at our airports.

They tried in every possible way to hurt and to scare the public as much as possible.

And they are once again playing true to form, this time harming our National Guard to make a political point.

Now, I know that our friends on the other side of the aisle say that they're going to oppose this legislation because they say that they need an entire government funding bill or nothing at all.

And yet they are calling Republicans the absolutists. That's what they're calling us? Seriously.

I would just say to my Democratic friends that we aren't asking you to repeal ObamaCare in order to make certain that our National Guard gets paid. We are just asking our Democratic friends to pay the National Guard, for goodness sake.

Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, I heard some Members on the other side, our Democratic friends, say that what we are talking about here is just a fig leaf or a distraction. Mr. Speaker, I do not consider paying our National Guard a fig leaf or a distraction. I consider our National Guard to be warriors essential to the defense of this Nation.

I would urge this House to pass this legislation that will allow our men and women who serve so bravely in our National Guard to do their job and to protect our freedoms.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and also the underlying bills.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, it seems that every time there's any sort of disagreement with Congress, President Obama does everything he can to make it hurt the American people as much as possible.

Earlier this year, when the sequester took effect, the White House immediately slammed the door on the American people and ended public tours at the White House. And yesterday, the Obama administration even tried to slam the door on the World War II Memorial to the heroes who stormed the beaches of Normandy and Iwo Jima; but just as the Japanese and Germans found out, these men would not be denied, and they pushed past those barriers. What great patriots they are.

It's interesting to note that the World War II Memorial is open 24 hours a day, but it's only staffed part of that time. So instead of actually leaving the memorial open, the Obama administration actually spent extra money to build the barricades to keep our heroes out, and then paid the Park Police to enforce that.

We are, Mr. Speaker, about to vote to fix that problem by passing legislation to open up our parks, to open up our memorials, and to open up the Smithsonian Institution.

Now, I know our Democratic friends are saying that they will vote against this bill because they want an entire clean CR or nothing at all, and yet they are accusing us of being the absolutists. I would just ask this, Mr. Speaker: Who are the absolutists? Really? Is it those of us who want to open the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone Park today, or those of us who want to keep those closed until they get everything they want?

Who are the absolutists? Is it those of us who want to have the Statue of Liberty's light shine bright or those that want to keep that light snuffed out until they get everything that they want?

I would hope that the Senate will join us in allowing those who drove through the barricades put up by the German Army at Normandy the opportunity to visit the World War II Memorial without having to drive through the barricades that have been put in place by the Obama administration.

I hope my friends on the other side of the aisle, Mr. Speaker, put aside their absolutist demands and put the American people at the head of the line. Open up their parks and open up their memorials and let them celebrate this great, great Nation of ours.

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, September 25, 2013, I missed the following votes: H.R. 1961, H. Res. 354. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, Ranking Member Robert Brady and I rise today to congratulate and recognize the outstanding employees of the Officers (Clerk of the House, Sergeant at Arms, and Chief Administrative Officer) and the Inspector General of the U.S. House of Representatives who have reached the milestone of 25 years of service to the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as the recipients of the House Employee Excellence Award.

The House's most important asset is its dedicated and exceptional employees, whose work, which is often behind the scenes, is vital in keeping the operations and services of the House running smoothly and efficiently. The employees we recognize today are acknowledged and commended for their hard work, dedication, professionalism, support of House Members and their staffs and constituents, and for their contributions day-in and day-out to the overall operations of the House. These employees have a wide range of responsibilities and skills that support the legislative process, ensure the security of the institution, maintain our technology and service infrastructure, and contribute to a more effective and efficiently operating House support structure. They have accomplished many great things in a wide range of activities, and the House of Representatives and its Members, staff, and the general public are better served because of them.

We recognize and honor the individuals named below for 25 years of dedicated service to the House. Collectively, this group has provided three hundred twenty-five (325) years of service to the U.S. House of Representatives:

Roger Addison--Office of the Clerk; Camilla S. Arthur--Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Troy D. Buckler--Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Susan Greenlee-Lowe--Office of the Sergeant at Arms; Karen L. Haas--Office of the Clerk; Kerri L. Hanley--Office of the Sergeant at Arms; Denine Hobbs--Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; James Jenkins--Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; James J. Kaelin--Office of the Sergeant at Arms; Regina A. Schmitt-- Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Mark W. Thompson--Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Andrea L. Weadon--Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Laura B. Whitaker--Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.

We also recognize and congratulate four House employees for receiving the Employee Excellence Award. This is a merit-based award, given to one employee from each House Officer organization, and the Office of Inspector General. Selected employees exhibited outstanding overall job performance and displayed a willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty for their organization throughout the last year. We honor the individuals named below for receiving this prestigious award:

Douglas J. Carney--Office of Inspector General; Karen A. McKinstry-- Office of the Clerk; Anthony L. Titus, Jr.--Office of the Sergeant at Arms; Robert T. Turney--Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.

On behalf of the entire House community, I extend our congratulations and once again recognize and thank these employees for their professionalism and commitment to the U.S. House of Representatives as a whole, and in particular to their respective House Officers and the Inspector General. Their long hours and hard work are invaluable, and their years of unwavering service, dedication, and commitment to the House set an example for their colleagues and other employees who will follow in their footsteps. I celebrate our honorees, and I am proud to stand before you and the nation on their behalf to recognize the importance of their public service.

Mr. Speaker, it appears that the Obama administration has finally come to the conclusion that the employer mandate in ObamaCare is a job killer.

Many have speculated that the Obama administration's decision to delay the employer mandate until after the 2014 election was due to fears that job cuts and hour reductions that would result from the mandate's implementation would negatively impact the President's party at the polls.

It does seem that those fears are justified. Recently, the Teamsters and other labor groups wrote to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi stating that the implementation of ObamaCare put at risk the 40-hour workweek, the health care, and the take-home pay of their members.

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the Teamsters that the employer mandate is a job killer. Eliminating the employer mandate would not stop the individual mandate which requires every American to purchase government-approved insurance that they may not want, that they can't afford, and may not be provided by their employers or otherwise they have to pay a penalty. Is that fair to American families?

The legislation, Mr. Speaker, that we are considering today would give every American--every American--the same 1-year reprieve from ObamaCare that the President has offered to businesses. Because we extend this help to all of the American people, the President has threatened to veto this bill.

Mr. Speaker, the President is not a king. He is the President. He does not have the authority to change the law and to delay the employer mandate on his own. Congress must give him that authority.

I would say to the President that we will delay the job-killing employer mandate, as he has asked, and we will also extend the same relief to all of the American people.

The President and Members of Congress who vote against this bill will have to explain to the American people why they heard the concerns of business but not those of the people. We have heard the people, we share their concerns, we stand with them, and I would urge all of my colleagues to stand with them as well and to support this very vital legislation.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of House Resolution 270, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I call up House Resolution 277 and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I call up House Resolution 278 and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Polosko-Kumanovski Metropolitan Kiril of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. His recent passing is a great loss for Macedonia, the entire Macedonian Orthodox Church and its followers, particularly those from the Polog/Tetovo region of Macedonia.

I had the privilege of meeting Bishop Kiril and can attest to the strength of his conviction as a member of the Macedonian Orthodox faith as well as his firm and unwavering commitment to the moral betterment of the Macedonian people. Bishop Kiril was a true advocate of both the Macedonian Orthodox Church

and the people of the Macedonian heritage worldwide and was instrumental in the development and growth of our Southeast Michigan Macedonian community.

Bishop Kiril played an integral role in resurrecting the Macedonian Orthodox Church--Ohrid Archbishopric, after two hundred years since its abolishment by the Ottoman Sultan, upon returning to Macedonia in 1967 after attending the Moscow Theological Academy. He was the only surviving signatory of the autocephalous declaration and a leading advocate for the establishment of an independent Republic of Macedonia.

Bishop Kiril founded both the American-Canadian and Australian Macedonian Orthodox Dioceses and served as a central administrator in each until 1987 and 1982 respectively. As a result of his steadfast leadership and resonant influence, Bishop Kiril catalyzed an international expansion of the Macedonian Orthodox faith throughout the course of his lifetime. The breadth of his legacy is confirmed in the more than fifteen cities in the world where he has been declared an honorary citizen.

Once again, I offer my deepest condolences for the passing of Bishop Kiril. His presence in the Macedonian Orthodox Church is irreplaceable and his manifold contributions to the people of Macedonia and Macedonians abroad, including in my district in Sterling Heights, Michigan, are of lasting value and cornerstone importance. I will cherish my acquaintance with Bishop Kiril, and am truly grateful for his years of service to his Macedonian Orthodox faith and people.

Mr. Speaker, the First Amendment of our Constitution is first because nothing is more important to secure liberty and freedom of speech and freedom of the press than our First Amendment.

There are currently two scandals that put into question the President's commitment to this sacred freedom, with the Justice Department secretly obtaining phone records of reporters at the Associated Press and Fox News, and the IRS targeting certain groups because of their political beliefs.

Yesterday, the Ways and Means Committee held a hearing with the victims of the IRS abuse, and we learned that IRS officials not only asked many inappropriate questions to members of these groups, like what books they read or what was in their prayers, but also tried to tell free Americans who they could not protest against, and even illegally released private tax records to groups with opposing viewpoints.

Freedom of speech and freedom of the press should never be in question in this Nation, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, we can all agree that units of the Federal Government should never use their powers to punish Americans simply because of their ideas. This House will get to the bottom of this issue by following the facts. These free people, our great patriots, deserve no less.