Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on October 5, 2013 there will be a grand event in Durham, North Carolina honoring the five African American undergraduate students that integrated Duke University. On this special occasion Duke, along with the residents of Durham, students and staff of North Carolina Central University, houses of worship, non-profits, and community organizations will celebrate the 50th anniversary of civil rights achievements in Durham and the integration of Duke University.

Nathaniel White Jr., Wilhelmina Reuben-Cooke, Gene Kendall, the late Mary Mitchell Harris and the late Cassandra Smith Rush were the five fearless undergraduates who forever changed the fabric of Duke University. In 1963, these pioneers enrolled at Duke University, joining the African American students who had enrolled in Duke Law School in 1961 and the Divinity and Graduate Schools in 1962. This occurred at a time when there were only two African American professors.

After graduating from Duke University, these five students went on to do great things that benefited our society. Nathaniel White Jr. became Director of the Public Health Sciences Institute at Morehouse College, Wilhelmina Reuben-Cooke became a law professor and member of Duke's Board of Trustees, and Gene Kendall bravely served our country in the United States Navy. The late Mary Mitchell Harris became a performance counselor at Georgia Tech University and President of Education Consulting for Harris Learning Solutions and Cassandra Smith Rush went on to work for Southern New England Telephone. Duke has a history of producing some of our nation's finest graduates and counts the first five African American students among them.

It is with great pride that I acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the integration of Duke University and the courageous students who changed the institution's history forever. It is with sincere pride that I ask my colleagues to join me in marking this important anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to say to my Republican friends, the issue is not whether you are winning or losing this debate. The American people are losing.

This is day three. We ask you again to be reasonable. Let's reopen the government and then get our leadership from both parties and both Chambers into a room and not come out until they have a bipartisan agreement to fund the government in a responsible manner.

Remember, Democrats, for the purpose of opening this government, have agreed to the Republican level of discretionary spending of $986 billion. That's the Republican proposal; and Democrats, including the President, have agreed to this level of funding through November 15.

The votes are on this floor right now to pass the $986 billion CR right now. Prove that I'm wrong.

Speaker Boehner, leadership requires that you say ``no'' to those who want to obstruct and shut down the government. You must say ``no'' to them and let us vote, up or down, a clean continuing resolution.

I thank the gentlelady for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, let's be clear. We are now in day two of a Republican- created shutdown.

While my Republican colleagues drag their feet on allowing an up-or- down vote on the Senate's clean continuing resolution, vital research at the NIH has been halted, student loan processing has been delayed, and veterans can't apply for a VA home loan.

The same bills that this rule will bring to the floor have already been debated and voted on. My colleagues are not being reasonable, to say the least. Because Republicans didn't get their way yesterday, they now bring the same bills up again, only this time under regular order. They will get their 216 votes, but they know and I know that this action does nothing to advance the ball. It does nothing to get us closer to a solution.

I remind my colleagues that House Democrats are willing to accept a clean CR at the levels that House Republicans have demanded. It's not what we want, but we compromised in an effort to do the business of the people.

The votes are here, Mr. Speaker, for a clean CR. Every Democrat, I believe, will vote for a clean CR. And many Republicans will do the same.

We're asking you to compromise. Your refusal to compromise has shut down this government. And for what? Political theater.

I repeat, the votes are here. Prove me wrong.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, in my prior life, as many of you know, I was a trial judge. I presided over thousands of very difficult cases. So often, jurors could not agree, but they worked hard without a political agenda. They reasoned together and administered justice.

Let us reason together. Let's get the CR passed today.

I ask unanimous consent that the House bring up the Senate amendment to H.J. Res. 59, which is the clean CR, and go to conference on a budget so that we can end this Republican government shutdown that is delaying student loans.

Mr. Speaker, the drama that has played out on the floor of the House would make for a great movie. I must remind my colleagues that we aren't in Hollywood, and their dangerous and thoughtless actions aren't without consequences.

We are elected representatives of the United States of America. We are not actors. We are here to legislate. So I ask my Republican colleagues to stop pontificating to the cameras and get to the work of reopening the federal government.

The Democratic Leader came to the Floor yesterday and pleaded with the majority to bring the Senate's amended CR to the Floor for a vote. Last night as midnight drew closer, my colleague from New Jersey Mr. Andrews asked the Chairman of the Rules Committee to do what is right and fair and bring the Senate's amended CR to the Floor for a vote. The Rules' Committee Chairman refused to acknowledge Mr. Andrews' plea.

Shame on House Republicans for not giving members an opportunity to cast an up or down vote on the Senate's clean CR. Their refusal to move beyond Obamacare--a law that was upheld by the United States Supreme Court as Constitutional--and continue their insistence on dismantling the law--is absolutely astounding.

Because for every time we vote on a bill to delay, defund, or dismantle Obamacare knowing what the ultimate outcome will be, is time that we could spend working on behalf of the American people to advance important policies. Instead my Republican colleagues insist on holding the American people hostage.

This is a sad day for America. This is a sad day for America because of House Republicans' complete inability to lead. This dysfunction has been allowed to continue for too long.

I remind my colleagues that House Democrats are willing to accept a clean CR at the levels that Republicans demanded. It's not what we want, but we compromised in an effort to do the business of the American people.

Now we are asking you to compromise. Your refusal to do so has shut down the most powerful government in the world. And for what? Political theater.

Republicans are harming the American people and they deserve better.

Colleagues, vote no on these senseless resolutions and demand--demand a vote on the Senate's clean Continuing Resolution.

Mr. Speaker, Republican extremists have put the Federal Government on the brink of a shutdown in less than 3 days. On yesterday, the Senate sent over a resolution that funds the government through November 15 using the sequester level of $986 billion.

What is the Republican leadership going to do with this resolution that will keep the lights on through November 15?

Are you going to continue to listen to the 40-50 ultraconservatives in your Conference whose agenda is to disparage President Obama and hold us hostage until we gut the Affordable Care Act, as the gentlelady from Tennessee just made reference to, and make deeper cuts that hurt the American people?

Is this where we are headed?

I pray for reasonableness on the part of my Republican colleagues. I know it's not all Republicans who are swinging the wrecking ball, but it's a critical mass within the Republican ranks that is beyond reason.

A very sad day in American history is upon us.

I urge Speaker Boehner to listen to voices of reason in his Conference and to pull together like-minded Republicans who can join with like-minded Democrats and get this done. The American people want compromise. They want it today.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert into the Congressional Record the story of Stephanie, a mother from Roanoke, Virginia, a face of hunger in America.

Thank you very much, Mr. McGovern, for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins) who just spoke, has finally acknowledged what so many other Republicans refuse to acknowledge: that they have made a political choice. They've made a political choice to defund the SNAP program. I'm glad that he publicly acknowledged that.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose H.R. 3102. The Republicans are determined to defund this program, a program that provides food assistance to low-income families and to more than 20 percent of my congressional district.

The Agriculture Committee reported a bill that cut $16 billion from nutrition. The Speaker wouldn't schedule a vote. Why? Because the Tea Party said ``not enough cuts.'' The Republicans then increased nutrition cuts to $20.5 billion, and the Speaker crossed his fingers and hoped for passage. It went down on this floor in defeat. Not a single Democrat voted for it. Many Republicans said the cuts were not enough.

Now here we are again today. The Republicans, driven by the irrational Tea Party, bring us another nutrition title that now cuts $40 billion from nutrition.

My friends, I know that cutting the deficit is important to all of us, but do not reduce the deficit by depriving more than 3 million good Americans of the opportunity to eat. That's not who we are as a Nation.

Thank you very much, Mr. Pallone, for yielding time this morning, and thank you for your extraordinary leadership on our committee and for giving affordable health care to every American.

Madam Speaker, I rise this morning to oppose H.R. 2775. This bill, if passed by the House and passed by the Senate and signed by the President, which I would say is highly unlikely, would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to certify to Congress that an income verification system is in place before any subsidies can be distributed for individuals to purchase health insurance through the marketplace.

Here you go again--repeal effort No. 41.

The Republican majority is obsessed with discrediting the President of the United States by using every procedural maneuver imaginable to weaken this law, which was passed by the Congress and upheld by the United States Supreme Court.

I invite my Republican colleagues to read a report published by the Congressional Budget Office, which states that HHS already has in place sufficient safeguards for distributing subsidies to assist uninsured Americans with the purchase of insurance.

This is not an honor system, Mr. Pitts. It is written into the law, and the Congressional Budget Office recognizes that we do have in place a system to verify the incomes.

Madam Speaker, I am still fuming about the 15 Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee who on August 29 sent a multi-page investigatory letter to 51 community nonprofits that have been approved to receive navigator grants to assist the uninsured with the process. I simply do not understand how the chairman of a committee and a few like-minded committee members can author a letter to grant recipients, demanding that they answer questions and produce documents. I suggest that this letter exceeds the authority of these individuals to harass and to intimidate grant recipients.

I urge the Republican majority to stop trying to discredit President Obama. Stop trying to defund and repeal the Affordable Care Act. It is the law of the land. Millions of Americans are benefiting from it today and will be in the future. You should be using this creativity and energy expended this morning to pass a budget and lift the sequester, which is hurting families and communities all across America.

My friends, get serious; and let's stop playing games with the American people.

Thank you, very much, Mr. Jeffries, for those very kind words and thank you for yielding me time this evening to talk about this very important subject. Mr. Jeffries, your leadership on this issue, the issue involving strong labor unions and bringing American jobs back to American workers is so critically important, and for that we appreciate your leadership.

Mr. Speaker, the economic success of the United States is something that other nations every day try to emulate. The success of our country is not because of us here in Congress, the policymakers, but it is because of the hard work of so many Americans who helped build a strong and resilient Nation.

The role of African Americans has been particularly important over the years. The role African Americans played in the early economic success of our country is one that is not well known to some people, but it was so vital to building the world power that we are today. Even before the Civil War, Black Americans were critical in helping to build ships and other seagoing vessels that were used to move agricultural goods and equipment to the growing Nation by serving as caulkers, a job that was dominated by African Americans.

Those same shipbuilders formed the Caulker's Association back in 1838 to protect African American caulkers by negotiating for higher wages and safer working conditions from their employers. The Caulker's Association counted Frederick Douglass, who worked as a caulker in Baltimore, as one of its members.

After the end of the Civil War, 4 million former slaves were set free. African Americans who were freed found it very difficult to find work because of racial tension. They were often used by White employers as strikebreakers so that their businesses could continue to operate while White employees were on strike.

Well, as time went on, by 1902, at the turn of the century, more than 40 national unions didn't have any members, not a single one, who were African American. But as the quest for civil rights began in earnest, African Americans would soon find a home--a good home--with labor unions all across the country.

By the 1930s, the Congress of Industrial Organizations welcomed everyone and counted both Blacks and Whites as members and was among the most integrated organizations in the United States at that time. By 1945, more than half a million African Americans were members of unions that comprised the Congress of Industrial Organizations.

Labor unions played a critical role--we've heard that tonight--in the civil rights movement, and served as one means by which African Americans could fight for civil rights and fair pay and safe working conditions.

Mr. Speaker, we recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. On August 28, 1963, more than 300,000 people, including myself, witnessed the call for civil and economic rights for African Americans. And on that hot day in August, we heard Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., deliver his historic ``I Have a Dream'' speech. The march was one of the largest rallies for civil rights in the history of our country, and it was organized in large part--I want to make this point--it was organized in large part by labor unions, including the Amalgamated Clothing Workers and the United Auto Workers.

The large role labor unions played in organizing the March on Washington cemented their place in history in providing for racial and economic equality.

In 2012, more than 14 million people were members of a labor union. But you know what? That is down from almost 18 million 30 years ago. That is very sad. Why is that?

The U.S. economy and Federal and State laws have changed since the heyday of industrial manufacturing where unions could organize with relative ease. Jobs that once required a human being are now being performed by a machine. Good paying American jobs have been relocated overseas where labor is cheap and working conditions are not as heavily regulated. And, perhaps most damaging, have been the onslaught of disgraceful antiunion policies that we have sadly seen on television that have been signed into law in States all across the country.

For African Americans, labor unions continue to be vitally important because they are committed to maintaining the hard-fought gains of opportunity and equality. Since their inception, labor unions have helped African Americans fight for equal rights and equal pay and safe working conditions. Now, African Americans are more likely than any other group to be a union member and earn more than 30 percent more than their nonunion counterparts. Labor unions will continue to be a vital part of our economy, and we must do all that we can to ensure that the labor movement thrives with the same intensity as it did 60 years ago.

I urge my friends in labor to continue their work. It is appreciated. I recently visited the A. Philip Randolph Institute. Ms. Clayola Brown is the president. I went to their dinner just a few days ago here in Washington, and I wanted to commend them publicly for the work they are doing. I thank them for invoking the name of A. Philip Randolph who, as Mr. Jeffries said earlier, founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

Let me also recognize the important work of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, headed by my good friend Bill Lucy, who was secretary- treasurer of AFSCME for many years. And now the Reverend Terry Melvin is carrying on the work of Bill Lucy. So I thank my friends in labor and urge them to continue the great work that they are doing in this country.

Mr. Jeffries, I thank you for yielding me this time and for your leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express that I intended to vote ``nay'' but was recorded as yea on Roll 430 on August 1, 2013 on Representative Murphy's (PA) Amendment No. 6 to H.R. 1582.

The Rules of the House of Representatives prevent Members from changing votes after the fact, but I wish to state for the record that I fully intended to vote ``nay'' on Representative Murphy's Amendment.

If enacted in law, Representative Murphy's amendment would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies from using the social cost of carbon (SCC) to estimate the climate benefits of rulemakings. Contrary to the intentions of the amendment, I fully support the use of the SCC by the EPA and other federal agencies to estimate the climate benefits of rulemakings. The SCC is important to interpret the impact of carbon dioxide emissions on agricultural productivity, human health, increased flood risk, and other factors which are important to my constituents in eastern North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate my good friend, constituent, and public servant, Sheriff Wardie Pernell Vincent, Sr. upon his retirement from service as Sheriff for Northampton County, North Carolina.

Wardie Vincent was born on November 4, 1947, to Eugene and Norene Vincent in the town of Henrico, North Carolina. He attended Northampton County public schools and graduated in 1966 from historic Gumberry High School. On October 5, 1967, Wardie enlisted in the United States Army and courageously served the United States of America for two years. He was Honorably Discharged from military service and returned to his hometown where he and his wife Betty would rear three wonderful children.

Wardie Vincent's service in the United States Army introduced him to the important work of law enforcement and the value in maintaining safe communities. He applied the skills learned in the Army to excel in his desire to be a law enforcement officer and pursue training at Halifax Community College where he received a degree in Criminal Justice.

Wardie Vincent's first job out of college was as security guard with the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers' Association in the Town of Rich Square. He later became an undercover officer working with Bertie, Hertford, Warren and Martin Counties on a variety of critical assignments targeting drug use and gang activity. It would become clear that Wardie Vincent's unmatched skills and experience would lead him to seek the office of Sheriff for Northampton County.

At age 51, Wardie Vincent was elected Sheriff of Northampton County. He would be reelected three more times to this high office, most recently in November 2010 when he ran unopposed. Sheriff Vincent has served a total of fourteen years as the High Sheriff of Northampton County and has overseen the expansion of this office though the hiring of additional Deputy Sheriffs and a strategic crackdown on illegal drugs through the county's drug taskforce. He also modernized the Sheriffs office by securing grants and improved budgeting for updated technology and law enforcement tools. There is no doubt that the Northampton County has been made safer through the visionary leadership of Sheriff Wardie Vincent.

Sheriff Vincent and his wife Betty look forward to spending more time with their three children--Kimberly, Kenisha, and Wardie, Jr. and their five grandchildren--Saige, Kai, Omani, Myles, Caleb, and Kenadi.

Mr. Speaker, the retirement of Sheriff Wardie Pernell Vincent, Sr. will leave a great void in Northampton County. But I know he will continue to play a vital role in his community as a leader, advocate, and friend to his fellow citizens. I ask my colleagues to join me in offering our sincere appreciation for Sheriff Vincent's forty years of public service and best wishes upon his retirement.

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

(Mr. BUTTERFIELD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in support of H.R. 2094, the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act. I am a cosponsor of this bill and urge its passage in the House.

Mr. Speaker, this bill provides incentives for schools to stock the lifesaving medicine that is critical for students and school staff who experience an anaphylactic emergency. Anaphylaxis is serious and life threatening. It is often caused by bee stinks, bug bites, latex, and some medications, and can take just a few minutes to cause serious harm and even death.

Epinephrine is used to treat the symptoms of anaphylaxis and comes in the form of an EpiPen that is injected into the body and provides almost instant relief. Nearly 30 States across the country are working on legislation that would permit schools to keep a stock of EpiPens that aren't designated for particular individuals but, rather, available to students and staff who experience an allergic reaction that can be treated with epinephrine. H.R. 2094 that we are considering tonight would encourage the remaining States to work on enacting similar legislation.

This bill creates a preference in the existing Children's Asthma Treatment Grants Program, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, for States that meet certain requirements that are enumerated in the bill.

Food allergies affect 5.9 million children. That's one in 13. This legislation is especially important because about 25 percent of individuals who are injected with an EpiPen for the first time don't know they have allergies that warrant the use of epinephrine. No student experiencing a severe allergic reaction at school should lose their life because there was no medicine prescribed to them.

Mr. Speaker, simply put, the passage and enactment of this bill will save the lives of countless students across our country who live with severe allergies. So I want to take a moment to commend the bill's author, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), who has worked on this legislation for at least 3 years, and also Congressman Phil Roe, for their bipartisan work on behalf of all Americans with allergies.

At this time, I yield such time as he may consume to the Democratic whip, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

(Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I thank the gentleman for those words, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I don't have any other speakers, and with that I yield back the balance of my time.

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

(Mr. BUTTERFIELD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in support of H.R. 2754, the Collectible Coin Protection Act. I introduced this bill with the bipartisan support of Energy and Commerce full committee Ranking Member Mr. Henry Waxman and Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Mr. Lee Terry, as well as three other colleagues, because the manufacture and sale of counterfeit coins is rapidly increasing across the country.

Manufacturing and selling imitation coins is a little-known black market industry here in the United States. With the invention of 3-D printers, anyone with a computer can now create a fake coin with relative ease that, for all intents and purposes, appears genuine in size and in color and in weight.

Unloading these imitation coins off on unsuspecting collectors has become big business and cuts to the very core of our ability to control and regulate the currency. By the time the collector realizes that he has been scammed, it is absolutely too late.

Current law, Mr. Speaker, makes it illegal to manufacture or import imitation coins meant for sale unless that coin is plainly and permanently marked with the word ``copy.'' Mr. Burgess made reference to that a moment ago.

My bill would extend current law and make it illegal to sell an imitation coin that is not conspicuously marked with the word ``copy.''

My bill would also make it unlawful for an individual to provide substantial support or assistance to anyone who manufactures or imports or sells counterfeit imitation coins in violation of the law.

And this bill would also extend trademark infringement protections available under the Trademark Act of 1946 for unauthorized use of a registered trademark in connection with an unlawful sale or other violation involving an imitation coin.

Mr. Speaker, my constituents in North Carolina and Americans across the country deserve to have the peace of mind to know that they will receive what they believe they are purchasing.

Individuals who sell fake products have a real and significant impact on our economy. The manufacture and sale of counterfeit imitation currency cannot be permitted to continue.

I'm confident my bill will provide greater protection for our Nation's currency and for those who collect it.

And so I thank Mr. Burgess, and I thank all of my colleagues. I ask my colleagues to support this piece of legislation and vote ``aye.''

Again, I ask my colleagues to look at this and work with us, and let's get it passed and let's stop this black market that's emerging in our country.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

(Mr. BUTTERFIELD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I rise to join Mr. Runyan in support of H.R. 1300, a bill that will reauthorize volunteer and community partnerships for the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The National Wildlife Refuge System is an incredible asset to our country. In addition to protecting habitat that is essential to the survival of many bird and mammal and fish species, the system provides recreational opportunities that translate into jobs for Americans.

The 45 million people who visit a wildlife refuge each year to hunt and to fish and paddle, or simply watch wildlife, generate $1.7 billion in sales for local economies. They support more than 34,000 jobs and contribute $185 million in much-needed tax revenue.

My State of North Carolina has 10 National Wildlife Refuges, and there are 516 of them across the country.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1300 would reauthorize valuable volunteer and community partnership programs that benefit the refuge system.

Sequestration has tightened even more the scarce resources we have to keep the National Wildlife Refuge System open and operational. The system depends on refuge volunteers, and we thank those volunteers, 56,000 of them, in fact, who contributed more than 2.15 million hours, valued at almost $47 million in just 2012 alone. Generations of Americans would not be able to enjoy these national treasures if not for gracious volunteers.

Therefore, I commend my colleague, Mr. Runyan of New Jersey, for his work on this bill. I thank him for his work on the Natural Resources Committee, even thank him for his work on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, and for all that he does in introducing H.R. 1300, along with Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Sablan.

I strongly support this legislation and urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to extend my personal congratulations to North Carolina Central University for being recognized in the August 2013 edition of the US Airways Magazine.

As a graduate of NCCU and its law school, I am excited to see NCCU featured in a magazine seen by thousands of travelers every day. It provides a great opportunity to feature the exciting things happening at our nation's historically minority serving institutions.

Founded by visionaries, our nation's HBCUs have given generations of students a sense of their heritage, history, and their valuable place in the American narrative. They have produced many of our nation's leaders in business, government, academia, and the military.

In this piece, US Airways recognized the legacy of learning that has contributed great minds to our country like Booker T. Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. George Washington Carver, and the Honorable Thurgood Marshall.

From the founding day in 1910, NCCU has helped lead the way in higher education for African Americans in the United States. NCCU has produced educators and professionals who went into rural communities across North Carolina and trained my generation. NCCU is now recognized for its increasing presence in STEM-related research and recently introduced their new PhD program in integrated biosciences.

Again, I applaud US Airways in recognizing our HBCUs. My Alma Mater, NCCU, is an institution that is a crucible of learning, where Julius Chambers discovered his sense of purpose that drove him to lead the NAACP Legal Defense Fund; where Eva Clayton was called to public service and became the first African American woman in Congress from North Carolina since reconstruction; and where a talented painter and professional athlete, Ernie Barnes, Jr., was empowered to inspire the nation with his art.

Today and every day, I am proud to call myself an Eagle.