Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the congregation of Rockland Baptist Church in the year of their 150th anniversary celebration. Since its founding, Rockland has been a beacon of light in the Hendersonville community and has been a sanctuary for countless lives, touching the hearts of all who enter.

Pastor Leslie Stratton has faithfully served at Rockland Baptist Church since the fall of 1997, being preceded by Reverends Shipp, A.O. Kenry, Sam Bryant, Drew Bateman, Tom Mills, Frank Harrison, Albert G. Jones, O.C. McClain, Willie L. Scott, Floyd Prude, James K.L. Alexander, John A. Perry, and Lloyd S. Peoples. Under his leadership, Rockland faithfully executes Christ's command in Matthew to ``love your neighbor as yourself'' through their ministries and active community involvement.

Rockland's mission statement is ``. . .to provide Christ centered ministries, where people can be redeemed to a personal relationship with Christ, reconciled to God and His People, restored to wholeness and well-being, and revived for a full life of involved service to others.'' God is alive and working throughout our nation, and it is through the ministry of churches like Rockland that His hand is tangibly felt in our neighborhoods. I join the entire Rockland family and pastoral staff in celebrating this wonderful occasion.

Rockland Baptist Church continues to be a pillar of hope in our community, and on behalf of the 6th district of Tennessee, I ask that you join me in congratulating and honoring this congregation for their continued faithfulness to Hendersonville. They are a shining light for the Lord and we are thankful for their gift.

Mr. Speaker, I am not recorded for roll call votes on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted Aye on final passage for H.R. 5447, the Music Modernization Act. The music industry is extremely valuable to Tennessee both economically and culturally. This bill recognizes the valuable work of songwriters and will help the music industry better serve its fans.

Mr. Speaker, there are 3 million registered nurses in the United States that comprise our nation's largest health care profession. Today I rise to honor National Nurses Week May 6-12, 2018, and my friends working within Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.

When I first became a nurse more than 40 years ago, I took an oath to ``devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.'' I still consider the words of that oath today in the decisions I make as a Member of Congress--particularly in matters of protecting the most vulnerable among us.

In that same oath, we also pledge ourselves before God to practice our profession faithfully. Nursing is not simply an occupation--it's a calling, and those are powerful words that we carry with us day in and day out.

Every day, registered nurses are working to chart a new course for a healthy nation and it is a privilege to honor them, and celebrate the ways in which they inspire, innovate, and influence to provide safe and high quality patient care.

Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system and I am proud to recognize the outstanding men and women of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. We should show our appreciation for our nation's registered nurses not just during National Nurses Week, but at every opportunity throughout the year.

Mr. Speaker, I am not recorded for Roll Call votes on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted Aye on final passage for the following bills: S. 447, the Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today Act, H.R. 4744, the Iran Human Rights and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, and H.R. 4681, the No Assistance for Assad Act.

Together, these bills promote America's obligation to protect religious freedom and human rights around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I am not recorded for roll call votes on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 and Wednesday, April 18, 2018 because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted Aye on final passage for the following bills:

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, fiscal conservatism means cutting spending where possible and, in turn, spending responsibly. Yes, it is a balance. In our homes, we have to do it; in our businesses, we have to do it. When the economy goes down, you don't spend as much in your business or your home, so you have to be balanced and responsible.

Today's vote is timely. The CBO's recent report confirmed what many of us already know: Washington has a spending problem.

The budget deficit will near $1 trillion next year, and trillions more are projected indefinitely.

Only a decade ago, the Federal debt held by the public was 39 percent of GDP, maybe even too much at that time, but today it is 75 percent, and it is expected to surpass 96 percent over the next decade. Does anybody think that that is sustainable? At what point does the debt become so severe, that we stall our economic growth?

Maybe we cannot answer that question today, but we all know that point looms on the horizon when we must answer that question.

If we don't act, we or our children, or perhaps, in my case, even our grandchildren, are going to find out the hard way. The burden of our borrowing is going to fall on our future generations, hurting their ability to flourish.

I wonder how many of us want to look our children or our grandchildren or maybe, in some cases, our great-grandchildren in the eye and say: We weren't responsible enough to do that; we are going to leave that burden to you.

I could not, in good faith, support the recent budget cap agreement, nor could I support the most recent omnibus bill. In fact, I voted for the Cut, Cap and Balance Act during my first year in Congress, which would have capped the future spending based on the GDP, and I am very proud of that vote.

That same year, I supported the Budget Control Act, which reined in the years of high level discretionary spending.

Some of my colleagues across the aisle are trying to use this resolution to attack the tax cuts, but tax cuts are not the problem. Our economy needed a jolt, and that is what we did.

In fact, let's just look back a couple of years at what our economic growth was; didn't even make it out of 2 percent. Many quarters we were down at 1.5 percent. We are up at 3 percent now. Is that not something that is worth jolting the economy for?

Where jobs are being created; that just didn't happen out of the horizon. That is because of tax cuts that we see the jobs being created. And by the way, people are having more money in their pocket as a result of that.

We will continue to see economic growth from our tax cuts for years to come. As a matter of fact, I was just with a group of people not long ago that were talking about how a small business owner, a lady that had a pizza shop that started out in that organization as washing dishes, serving pizza. She then bought it. And you know what she has been able to do because of this tax cut? She has now bought a second business; someone who started out as a dishwasher. That is what our tax cuts are doing.

Spending is the problem. Our mandatory spending has been projected to nearly quadruple by 2040.

Our population is aging. Our workforce participation rate is stagnant. For every 1.65 employed persons in the private sector, we have one person who receives welfare assistance. When people need assistance, we want to give them assistance. But work is dignity.

Work is dignity. That is what our goal should be; not having people depend upon the government. When you ask somebody what they do and they can tell you what they do, they are prideful. Because after you ask someone their name, what do you ask them? What do you do?

We want everybody to be at work, not where 1.65 people employed in the private sector, one is receiving welfare assistance. That is not dignity.

This must be addressed. My budget last year began this processing of addressing mandatory spending, and we need to build on that progress.

I agree that offering a constitutional amendment should be done rarely and reluctantly. Our debt burden threatens the kind of country that we leave behind for our children and grandchildren, and we must end this borrow-and-spend cycle that has gone on for far, far too long.

Ensuring future generations have the same opportunities that we have today means making hard choices. No more delays. No more denials.

I urge my colleagues to vote for this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 133.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to welcome Minister Jeremiah Tatum from Cookeville, Tennessee, to our Nation's Capital.

In Congress, we begin each day thanking the Lord for His provision

and asking for continued guidance, protection, and wisdom. It is a great privilege to have a fellow Tennesseean lead us in this sacred tradition today.

Minister Tatum was born in Los Angeles County, California, and comes from seven consecutive generations of preachers. His call to ministry began 27 years ago, and he is currently serving his eighth year as the pulpit minister of Willow Avenue Church of Christ in Cookeville.

In addition to local work, Minister Tatum preaches abroad and serves overseas with foreign missions. He encourages young men to become preachers and believes he has the best job in the world. Our community is so grateful for his service.

He is married to Amber, and they have three children: Luke, Daniel, and LyssaBeth. I know his family and the Willow Avenue congregation are very proud to have him with us today, and I thank him for opening our day in prayer.

Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call No. 69 for final passage of H.R. 1892, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which took place Friday, February 9, 2018, I am not recorded because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call No. 51 for final passage of H.R. 4547, which took place Monday, February 5, 2018, I am not recorded because I was unavoidably detained. As a cosponsor of this bill, I would have voted Aye had I been present.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to include the following into the Record.

Declaration of Mothers: A Proclamation and a Pledge for the

Preservation of Liberty & Virtue

As the mothers and primary Makers of the Homes of America--

the molders the future of our nation--we declare that the

liberty and freedom of all people begin in the home and that

a nation is but a magnified home. The values and virtues

taught within the family will determine the values and

virtues of the nation as a whole.

We recognize the sacred role of mother as the heart of the

home and home as the heart of society. The liberty of each

individual begins in the home and parents are, first and

foremost the primary teachers and protectors of their

children in a free society. Properly constructed social,

religious, and governmental institutions are designed to

support and strengthen the family unit not replace it or

regulate it. No association or government organization can

replace the family no matter how well-intentioned or well-

designed it may be.

The privilege of living as a free people in a free society

is dependent on being a people of faith, virtue and

patriotism--the three pillars of liberty--and these

attributes are best developed and nurtured in the home. Each

generation has a responsibility to instill a love of liberty

and virtue in the heads of the next generation.

We affirm that ``All men and women are endowed by their

Creator with certain unalienable rights and to secure these

rights, governments are instituted among men, [receiving]

their just powers from the consent of the governed.''

To secure the blessings of liberty, the Founding Fathers of

the United States of America created a written constitution

under the inspiration of Almighty God. The preservation of

this sacred document and trust is dependent upon each

generation, who bears the stewardship of safeguarding the

constitution and teaching their children the rights and

responsibilities associated with the noble cause of liberty

and keeping the Republic.

Every individual is born with intrinsic dignity that is

inherent to each member of the human race. All men and women

have the right to liberty, self-determination and self-

governance. The individual's responsibility of work,

education, and industry are crucial elements of self-

governance in society and the preservation of human dignity.

The rights of a free people are protected and preserved

through honorable, virtuous, leadership which invokes the

nobility inherent in all men and women. Successful leaders in

the home and family govern by correct principles, teach by

example and stand for self-evident truths and liberty

sustaining principles.

As the lessons of history clearly demonstrate, we recognize

that freedom is fragile. It is a rare and prized possession

and requires constant care and vigilance for its

preservation. Living as a free people does not come

instinctively; principles of freedom must be studied and

applied. Home and families with mothers who nurture and teach

these principles produce leaders who honor and hold sacred

the intrinsic dignity of the individual and inalienable

rights endowed to all people.

To safeguard the liberty and enhance the future of our

children and grandchildren, we affirm our commitment to

``stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made us free''

that ``government of the people, by the people, and for the

people shall not perish from the earth.''

Declaration of Independence.

Galatians 5:1.

Gettysburg Address.

Mr. Speaker, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act requires doctors and nurses present during an abortion to properly care for a child who survives it. It is an oath that we take to save lives.

Imagine that, Mr. Speaker. A doctor must give the same care to a baby born alive after a botched abortion that they would give to a baby born any other way at the same gestational age.

We are talking about saving living, breathing human beings, human beings that were formed in the image of their Creator with inherent dignity.

I am appalled when my friends from the other side of the aisle say it would endanger a child to take them to a hospital and to actually call for emergency care where all of the services are provided in an ambulance and take them to a hospital where they would have the best chance to survive.

As a grandmother and a nurse, it is utterly appalling that we have to pass legislation to save babies that are left to die.

Whether or not we agree that life begins at conception--and I truly hope that one day we will--this bill is merciful, it is humane, and it is just.

Abortion is brutal for both the mother and the child, and providing care for babies who have survived this horrific practice should never be a question. No one should be against this. We all should gather together and say that if a healthcare professional does not help to save the life of that baby that is born of a botched abortion, they should be held criminally liable just as they would for any other life that they refuse to save.

Mr. Speaker, this is truly a monumental day for the American people.

During my 7 years here in the House serving on the Ways and Means Committee, we have studied, considered, and outlined the sorts of reform that could benefit the American people.

As a conferee for H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, I am proud that we kept our promise of providing tax relief for hardworking, middle class families and making the Tax Code simpler and fairer for all.

It has been more than three decades since our Nation's tax system has been modernized, and this is finally the day to change that.

I want to remind my colleagues that the process began long before this year. When passage of the budget provided the key, our ideas for conservative tax reform were finally unlocked and could be pursued for real tax reform.

Without question, this conference report reflects our shared conservative principles. The conference agreement addresses the heavy tax burden weighing down hardworking Americans and holding back job creators. It brings simplicity to the Tax Code. It helps low- and middle-income Americans see more of their hard-earned dollars in their paychecks. It empowers entrepreneurs and small businesses to continue opening, operating, and expanding on Main Street.

With every major legislative effort, there will be critics. But the critics have it wrong. The truth is that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act delivers relief at every income level and protects more hard-earned dollars from taxes. For the average family of four, this legislation means a tax cut next year of more than $2,000.

The point of this exercise is that we are cutting your taxes, plain and simple. I urge my colleagues to stand on the right side of history and support this legislation because the benefits will be felt by all Americans for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his endless hours of work listening to everyday people, listening to small businesses, listening to large businesses, listening to how what we put in this bill was going to affect the American people who, at the end of the day, are going to be the winners.

So it has been more than three decades since Congress has worked with the White House to modernize our Nation's very confusing and complicated tax system. Just ask anybody who has filed their taxes on their own.

But we are closer to changing that day with H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. And with this budget, with the budget passed in both Chambers and following last week's productive markup in our House Ways and Means Committee, tax relief is on the horizon.

With this legislation, Republicans clearly recognize the need to do something about our heavy tax burden weighing down the hardworking Americans and holding back job creators.

We also recognize the need to bring simplicity to the Tax Code. In our tax reform plan, we will help low- and middle-income Americans see more of their hard-earned paychecks by lowering the tax rates and nearly doubling the standard deduction for individuals and married couples.

For instance, for an average middle class family of four, that translates to a $1,200 tax cut. Now, I will tell you, that is real money.

We also establish a new family credit that raises the child tax credit and introduces new credits for family members and other dependents.

The Tax Code will also become less confusing, making it possible for most Americans to file their taxes on a single postcard.

Our plan, rightly, provides tax relief for job creators, empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses to continue opening, operating, and expanding on Main Street.

For my home State of Tennessee, H.R. 1 will allow families to see an estimated $2,200 increase in wages. Again, that is real money.

According to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, this bill would also mean 20,000 new jobs for my State. This will provide a welcome jolt to our economy, which is badly needed following eight lackluster years under the Obama administration.

Without question, enacting tax reform is a challenge, but the benefits of seeing it through will be felt for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. We cannot miss this historic opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 604, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 606.