Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, a recent Monthly Labor Review report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reiterates that energy production and energy jobs are surging in parts of the country, including my home State of Pennsylvania.

The report, which reviews employment trends from 2007 to 2012, states:

Pennsylvania has seen a surge in natural gas production and

employment over the past 2 years, resulting in substantial

growth in terms of both employment and wages.

Over the report's study period, Pennsylvania went on from being the tenth largest State by oil and natural gas employment in 2007 to being the sixth largest in 2012, and the Commonwealth also had the second largest employment increase over the same period, positioning itself only after Texas.

We talk a lot about what Washington can do to boost growth and employment. Well, Mr. Speaker, this report speaks to the fact that we should allow private innovation in States like Pennsylvania to lead the way.

Mr. Speaker, the United States Department of Transportation yesterday delivered to Congress a draft highway reauthorization which proposes to remove the prohibition on tolling existing capacity on interstate highways.

As my colleagues are aware, the interstate highway system was created to enhance the flow of goods and services throughout the country.

These investments have served to improve our economy and the lives of our citizens, while allowing America to remain competitive in a global market.

Plain and simple, tolling existing capacity will do nothing more than cripple our economy. In fact, Mr. Speaker, any attempt to remove the prohibitions on tolling interstate highways must be highly scrutinized.

In my home State of Pennsylvania, in 2007, a scheme was put together to toll Interstate 80. This was a prime example of a betrayal of public trust, where the Commonwealth, under then-Governor Rendell, aimed to use toll grants on other projects unassociated with the interstate.

Mr. Speaker, tolling can work for new capacity or to mitigate congestion by providing alternative lanes of travel, but it must be done in a transparent manner. Pennsylvania's plan was not crafted for the public good, but to cover up for a history of highway mismanagement and cronyism throughout the bureaucracy.

Now, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on finding a fiscally responsible way to maintain investments in critical transportation infrastructure projects across the country.

As we move forward on a new highway reauthorization, let us restore the public trust, not further erode it. The American people deserve as much.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the 63rd annual National Day of Prayer. On this day, we praise God for the many blessings bestowed upon us. During times of great adversity and in times of great prosperity, Americans of all walks of life seek God's guidance.

Today, we face many great challenges, including brave men and women serving in harm's way and an economy that must grow faster and lift more Americans, especially those in need, to greater security. We pray that the families of this Nation may find renewed strength and belief in God's word and grace.

We also seek the Lord as we pray for those who serve in our military. We ask for God to protect them and watch over them.

Mr. Speaker, let us seek God's guidance and pray he will grant us the wisdom to overcome the many trials and tests before our Nation and its people.

On the National Day of Prayer, may God bless this great Nation and all its citizens.

Mr. Speaker, just a short while ago, one of my colleagues talked about the plight of folks who are unemployed--individuals who are unemployed either short term or those chronically unemployed. He actually failed to mention those who are underemployed in this Nation. It is an issue that needs to be addressed.

I am actually proud to be a part of solutions that have passed out of the House of Representatives but sit in the Senate, waiting for Senator Reid to take the leadership to bring those House-passed jobs bills to the Senate floor for action--bills that would provide some immediate opportunities for individuals who are unemployed.

More than anything else, what folks who are unemployed need is a job--a good-paying job with family-sustaining wages.

Mr. Speaker, the House has passed bill after bill to help working middle class Americans get the skills they need, the jobs they desire, and adequate pay to provide for their families. In the Senate, yet another day has passed when Leader Reid has chose to deny consideration of these commonsense bills and chose to deny the relief that would come for those who are unemployed.

The House has acted on more than one occasion to advance completion of the longstanding Keystone XL pipeline. This decision has again been delayed by the Obama administration.

The House recently passed the Save American Workers Act, which would restore hourly wages cut by ObamaCare's 30-hour workweek rule. This bill remains stalled in the Senate's legislative graveyard.

The House has passed bipartisan legislation that would renew the Federal Government's commitment to actively and adequately manage our Federal forests. Where we have well-managed Federal forests that are managed in a healthy way, we have healthy rural economic communities where we grow jobs. Today, that bill is gathering dust on the Senate Leader's desk, awaiting action.

Mr. Speaker, we were elected to solve problems. It is about time we got about the people's business. Hardworking Americans deserve as much.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the United States Army Reserve, which this week celebrates 106 years of service defending our country.

For generations, the Army Reserve has played an essential role in the defense of this Nation. These citizen-soldiers are also actively engaged citizens

in every community throughout the country. They continue to be a true testament to America's All-Volunteer Armed Forces.

Most reservists must strike a balance between family life, full-time employment, and the growing demands of serving in our Nation's professional Army. This upcoming weekend I will have the honor of meeting with several Army Reserve units throughout Pennsylvania to highlight the important role that these men and women play in our national defense and also our local communities.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the Army Reserve for continuing to play an important role in the defense of our great Nation.

I rise and reiterate how very proud we are of these men and women and all that they do for our country and to wish a special 106th birthday to our Army Reserve.

Madam Speaker, yesterday afternoon U.S. Senators Rob Portman and Jay Rockefeller introduced the Medical Evaluation Parity for Servicemembers, or MEPS, Act, companion legislation to the bill that I introduced with the Congressman from Ohio, Mr. Tim Ryan, on March 27 of this year.

Most are aware that incoming soldiers must pass a physical and medical evaluation, which is the case, but so many are shocked that there is no similar evaluation for mental health competency.

Madam Speaker, according to recent studies, nearly half of all soldiers who tried suicide first attempted it before enlisting. A large number of suicides in the military were individuals who had never been deployed in a combat role.

These studies give us insight into the mental well-being of our military, but what they also show is that we must know more.

The bipartisan MEPS Act would require a preliminary mental health assessment for military recruits prior to joining the service, which will dramatically improve the way the military identifies and assesses mental health issues.

The bill has no budget impact and has support from a large number of veterans groups. I thank my Senate colleagues for introducing this bill and encourage my colleagues in the House to join the support.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the timely issue of behavioral health in our military.

Currently, our soldiers undergo comprehensive medical and physical examinations during recruitment to ensure that they are fully fit and capable of performing their military duties; however, currently, no similar examination for mental health competency exists. This is a serious information gap as our military continues to address issues such as posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and suicide.

Madam Speaker, the issue of military mental wellness should be on the mind of every Member of Congress--and not just when this issue is back in the news.

Prior to the Fort Hood shootings, I introduced H.R. 4305, the Medical Evaluation Parity for Servicemembers Act, which will institute a preliminary mental health assessment at the time recruits are first joining the military.

The bill, which was reported on today by the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, is not an end-all solution when it comes to addressing this issue, but it is an important step in tackling a well-established information gap in the realm of servicemember behavioral health.

I encourage Members to join in cosponsoring H.R. 4305.

Mr. Speaker, Washington can get things done. It may not be all the time, but over the last year we have been able to make constructive progress on an array of issues. Had it not been for Members on all sides of the aisle coming together, looking past party labels, and working on what is important, this would not have been the case.

Last week on Thursday, April 3, President Obama signed into law an important piece of legislation that represents one of those points of progress.

In December of last year, the House passed bipartisan legislation to shift $126 million--money previously used to finance national political conventions--to the National Institutes of Health, where it will now support research into childhood cancer and other pediatric diseases, including Down syndrome, cancer, autism, and the countless other diseases that affect our children that don't yet have a cure.

In March of 2014 the Senate passed the legislation, again with bipartisan support. That bill--now law--was the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act. There have been many critical research breakthroughs over the past decade. As a result of this new law, millions of additional dollars will be put towards research in an effort to develop treatments and cures for pediatric disorders and diseases. Today, more are on the horizon, and with passage of this law, they will be upon us that much more quickly.

As most are aware, Gabriella Miller passed away from cancer, an inoperable brain tumor, in October of 2013. Gabriella, before her passing, stated: ``If I go, if I lose my battle, then I'm going to want other people to carry on with the war. They are going to win this war.''

Mr. Speaker, although there is much more to be done, with the passage of this act, this body took one small step in that direction. Through this new law we honor the legacy of a brave and spirited young girl who left a mark on the Nation and the world. Let us continue to fight this battle on behalf of so many boys and girls in similar positions. My prayers are with Gabriella and her family.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the United States Department of Energy released its 2014 strategic plan, which reiterates how the President is committed to an all-of-the-above energy strategy.

I personally was pleased to hear the administration reiterate their commitment to expanding all of America's domestic energy resources, including fossil fuels, which is fundamental to the Nation's future economic security.

The report also outlined the administration's goal to ``decouple our economy from the global oil market.''

Unfortunately, the administration's policy continually falls short of their unbelievable rhetoric.

Just one example: since President Obama took office, total Federal oil production has declined 7.8 percent and Federal natural gas production has declined 21 percent. It is no wonder, for according to new data released this week from the Bureau of Land Management, Federal onshore oil and natural gas leases and permits are at the lowest levels in more than a decade.

Mr. Speaker, real energy security will take actually pursuing, rather than merely claiming, an all-of-the-above energy approach.

Mr. Speaker, last week, the United States Department of Agriculture announced that over $300 million would soon be paid out to States through the Secure Rural Schools program in order to compensate for the lost local revenue because of a lack of timber harvesting in national forests.

Last year, the administration decided to retroactively apply 2013 sequestration cuts to the 2012 SRS funds, and it requested the repayment of $17.9 million that has already been distributed to States and counties. This decision immediately sparked bipartisan opposition, prompting the House Committee on Natural Resources to conduct an investigation into the administration's legally questionable actions. The investigation found that the White House ordered the sequestration cuts for the SRS program and that the administration chose to apply the reductions in a manner that made certain that all Secure Rural Schools counties felt the hurt.

Mr. Speaker, I am glad the administration chose against playing more politics with this program at the expense of our rural communities, including those which I represent in the Allegheny National Forest, but in the long run, rural communities wouldn't need additional funding through this program if we actually harvested the proper levels of timber on these taxpayer-owned lands.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my thoughts and prayers to the individuals, families, and loved ones of those affected by the tragedy at Fort Hood. To have this happen a second time adds more heartbreak to a community still grieving from the tragic events of 2009.

There are still a lot of questions to be answered. Assuredly, like many cases where suicide is involved, we may never know the motive. Undoubtedly, the gunman's mental wellbeing, along with many other variables, continue under investigation.

Not until we know more from the leadership in charge of the investigation would it be appropriate to speculate facts or other variables.

Yes, given a preliminary description of events, it is hard not to place a tragedy in perspective--in the context of the grave challenge our Nation faces when it comes to better addressing issues of behavioral health, mental illness, and suicide.

For now, we pray. For now, we praise. For now, we honor each individual and each sacred life lost.

Mr. Speaker, reading is a fundamental education skill that provides a foundation for academic and life success.

On March 29, the Central Intermediate Unit No. 10, located in Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District, hosted their Elementary School Interscholastic Reading Competition. This is a great event that is integrated throughout the school year to promote reading.

Each year, the IU chooses a list of books to be read, and this year, 41 books were utilized for the competition. Students read books from the list and answer test questions that are created to measure the students' comprehension and recall of the books.

On competition day, students learn the value of hard work, the importance of reading, as well as teamwork. Along the way, they also have some fun.

The team with the highest number of points overall is awarded the grand championship. Clearly, every child that participates in this event benefits, as they are encouraged and motivated to expand their horizons through reading comprehension.

Congratulations to the students and faculty of the Howard Elementary School for being the 2014 Reading Grand Champions.

The Howard team, coached by Mrs. Amber Buchanan and Ms. Jalynn Woleslagle, scored a total of 68 points. Congratulations to Mia Simoncek,

Noah Giedroc, Brayden Comly, Jayden Bechdel, Carter Rhoades, Olivia Reed, Hannah Ternent, Thomas Beck, Elyssa Greene, and Mikayla Irvin for a job well done.

This is the first time that Howard Elementary has ever won grand champion. Congratulations, and keep on reading.

Madam Speaker, businesses across the

country have stopped hiring, and millions of Americans are beginning to see less take-home pay as a result of the Affordable Care Act's 30-hour workweek requirement.

That is the crux of the problem with the Affordable Care Act, Madam Speaker. The law's burdensome employer requirements dissuade businesses from expanding and encourage shifting current workers from full to part-time work.

Congress should be advancing policies to expand employment opportunities, especially during tough economic times, rather than undercutting the ability of Americans to earn more.

This is the reason that the House today passed H.R. 2575, the Save American Workers Act, legislation that will allow businesses the opportunity to expand workers' hours by redefining full-time employees under the Affordable Care Act and reverting back to the traditional 40- hour workweek definition.

The Save American Workers Act will lessen the burden being imposed on employers and help to increase wages so that Americans, especially those with limited means, can better provide for their families.

Madam Speaker, if you listen to probably the majority of the speeches provided on this House floor, they clearly indicate partisan bickering. If you listen to many of these speeches, it is pretty easy to find out what we disagree upon. There are some divides in beliefs and opinions. One of the things that is wonderful about this House is this is the people's House. It reflects a very diverse nation, and we have diverse opinions here on the House floor.

At the same time, there are individuals here that I work with, both sides of the aisle, that I think want to be problem solvers. They are willing to not talk about what we disagree about, because we don't even need to do that; we just turn on the news, and that is what is highlighted is what we disagree upon. But the fact is we do have individuals here that have the courage and willingness to come to the table, and that is step one; to sit at the table and define properly what the problem is, because without defining the problem, you really aren't going to come up with effective solutions that work; and third, be willing to state what do we agree upon, what can we agree upon and make that the beginning point, the foundation, for cost-effective solutions.

I am here today as part of a group that really does that. I rise today as cochair of the bipartisan Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus. This is a group of Members from both sides of the aisle, diverse routes of the United States, who care about investing in opportunities for individuals to be able to do better in life through education. My opinion is: it is not so important where you start in life; it is where you end up. The key to that stair or that ladder or that path is education.

The Career and Technical Education Caucus really, really focuses on that in a bipartisan way. It is about America's competitiveness. Because if America does not have a qualified and trained workforce, America doesn't have a future. So as appropriation season is upon us, we in the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus encourage our colleagues to continue this body's united commitment to ensuring that America remains competitive through an adequately trained workforce.

This can be achieved through an existing program. We don't have to create a new program. No need to reinvent the wheel. It is the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. Perkins provides the principal source of Federal support for program improvement and helps to strengthen the integration of academic, career, and technical education at both the secondary and the postsecondary institutions.

Although deficit reduction must remain priority number one--it is one of our greatest threats for national security--during these fiscally challenging times, we must invest in CTE programs. We must also recognize that any reduction to Perkins funding would affect millions of career and technical educational students, the business community that relies on a qualified workforce, and the future competitiveness of this country.

Going into the fiscal year 2015, the Career and Technical Education Caucus is putting together a modest request for level funding for this program. I encourage my colleagues to support the efforts of the caucus and join in sending this important request to the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Month of the Military Child, which is celebrated every April.

For generations, military children have supported those who serve by making their own sacrifices and persevering through tough times, especially those in families with parents on Active Duty or deployment.

For a child, there are few things more difficult than being apart from a mom or dad deployed overseas. Just since 2001, nearly 2 million military children have experienced a parental deployment. Currently, there are approximately 1.2 million children of Active Duty U.S. members worldwide.

Sometimes overlooked, military families move three times as often as nonmilitary families and share many of the hardships. Children and spouses in these circumstances also experience anxiety in higher rates than their nonmilitary counterparts and must worry about new housing, jobs, friends, and schools.

With a son and daughter-in-law in the military, I know life in the service can be trying, but we thank these soldiers and their families for keeping us safe.

Mr. Speaker, let us give praise to these soldiers and their families for their service and their sacrifice. They deserve as much.