Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, the case for ObamaCare repeal was given a big boost by the administration's decision to delay the controversial employer mandate for another year. This House will vote we hope this week to support that much-needed action, as well as postpone the individual mandate for 1 year.

Delaying the burdensome employer mandate will allow companies to continue providing employee health care benefits without reducing work hours. Providing a 1-year delay from the individual mandate will relieve American families from thousands of dollars of additional taxes.

But postponing the two mandates are only the latest steps to repeal ObamaCare. Without complete repeal, Americans will face $1.1 trillion in new taxes, $716 billion in Medicare cuts, and huge health insurance premium increases.

Madam Speaker, we must all work together to finish the job by completely repealing ObamaCare so that small businesses and individuals will be permanently free from this onerous regulation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of a marine who desperately needs our help. Corporal Armando Torres was kidnapped in Mexico more than 2 months ago. Minimal attention here in the U.S. and in Mexico has allowed Armando's kidnappers to think that we've given up. They are wrong. The United States does not give up and does not leave one of our own behind. The kidnapping of a United States citizen and a marine will not be tolerated. Armando served our country honorably, and now it is our duty to serve him well now.

Mr. Speaker, as you know, the bond between marines can never be broken. In the coming days, marines here in the House will come together on this floor for their brother. I invite all Members to join us and show that we will not rest until we bring Armando home.

When the Committee of the Whole rose earlier today, the amendment offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun) had been disposed of and the bill had been read through page 22, line 9.

Amendment Offered by Mr. Swalwell of California

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of our committee for introducing this excellent piece of legislation and for his leadership in our committee.

I am very pleased to speak in favor of this legislation which assists Taiwan, one of our most valued allies, in obtaining observer status at the ICAO, or the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Taiwan is a major hub for international air travel; and, particularly, it serves as the link between Northeast and Southeast Asia and to Europe and the United States. And now that Taiwan has joined the Visa Waiver Program, travel between our two nations will undoubtedly increase.

Almost 1.3 million flights pass over the region each year; but due to the ill advised appeasement of China at the United Nations, Taiwan must receive its international aviation safety and security information secondhand.

Taiwan's exclusion from international organizations like ICAO is a short-sighted and dangerous practice. It ends up hurting the international community as much as it does the Taiwanese people themselves.

Preventing a significant player in aviation like Taiwan from participating in ICAO threatens the entire international community which depends on the application of universal aviation standards.

Unfortunately, attempts to placate China at the feeble United Nations are nothing new and are a reminder that that organization lacks seriousness. China's threat that foreign interference will hurt negotiations with Taiwan to allow its participation in ICAO should be ignored by the U.N.

The U.N. must do what is right for the entire international community, and I urge the organization to put aside its petty politics and work on behalf of the safety of all of the world's citizens.

Mr. Speaker, the Taiwan Relations Act continues to be the cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy with our democratic ally, Taiwan; and we must always keep it as the guiding beacon. The next meeting of ICAO is this September, and I expect to see our State Department have a strategy that they will implement to make sure that Taiwan will be at the table this fall.

The friendship between the people of the United States and Taiwan has cemented into one of our most cherished partnerships, and I look forward to the United States Government demonstrating its continued commitment to the people of Taiwan with the passage of this most excellent bill.

I thank the chairman for the time, and I thank him for his leadership on Taiwan through the years.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate US SOUTHCOM on the 50th anniversary, today June 11th. For the past five decades this command has protected and defended the privileges, comforts and freedoms that we, as Americans, enjoy.

We are fortunate and privileged to have General John Kelly as the new Commander of United States Southern Command. His distinguished career and exemplary service to our nation is a testament to the ideals of honor, courage, and commitment. SOUTHCOM has continued to grow and thrive in South Florida with its 1,200 SOUTHCOM employees. These individuals have dedicated their lives to the service of others and truly embody the heart and spirit of America. I thank each and every one of them for their efforts as well as the good they provide throughout the hemisphere.

Today, SOUTHCOM celebrates half a century of excellence and service to the citizens of the United States. Over these years, many brave men and women in uniform have worked tirelessly to keep us safe while also promoting peace, security, and democracy throughout the Western Hemisphere. From combating international crime syndicates and drug lords, to monitoring human rights and providing humanitarian relief, SOUTHCOM has a proven track record of achievement. Its successful efforts in counter-terrorism and in combating illicit trafficking across this hemisphere have helped to promote democracy abroad and has encouraged respect for human rights. SOUTHCOM certainly remains a beacon of strength and resilience throughout the region.

Shortly before the United States entered the Second World War, President Roosevelt established the U.S. Caribbean Defense Command with the goal of defending the Panama Canal and the surrounding area. Following the conclusion of the war, the U.S. Caribbean Defense Command was renamed the U.S. Southern Command. The new name was intended to reflect the command's changed responsibilities with an emphasis of ensuring security, stability, and prosperity throughout Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean.

SOUTHCOM encompasses six major mission areas, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as assisting our allies in the region and while promoting military-to-military interaction. Its successful efforts in counter-terrorism and in combating illicit trafficking across this hemisphere is key to regional stability even while it continues to be a leader in medical assistance, providing quality medical care for schools and community centers. I know many individuals still remember the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, in which SOUTHCOM took the lead in humanitarian effort on the ground that undoubtedly saved thousands.

SOUTHCOM has had a tremendous impact on our local economy in South Florida and I applaud its efforts to give back to our community. Congratulations again to SOUTHCOM on its 50th anniversary. I look forward to working with General Kelly and his wonderful team in South Florida. Thank you again for all that you do.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to condemn the excessive force used by Turkish police on demonstrators in Istanbul.

The past few days, these individuals used their rights to assemble and express their displeasure with their government's policies. They called attention to what they view as increasing government curtailment of their rights, but they were met with aggressive violence.

Perhaps just as shocking, most Turkish news outlets did not even cover these events as they unfolded because they feared that they would anger the government and they would go to jail, and because the government controls large parts of the media in Turkey.

This is not the response of a free and democratic society. We expect more from our allies, and I call on Prime Minister Erdogan to condemn this brutal police action and urge the Turkish authorities to exercise restraint.

I also urge both parties to resolve their differences swiftly and peacefully in a manner that respects the rights of all Turkish citizens.

Mr. Speaker, this week the national debt reached an unprecedented record of over $16.85 trillion. Such a figure is so mind- boggling that I will make this simple. This means that every person in the United States now owes $53,329 to pay down the debt, and every U.S. taxpayer's debt share is now $148,186.

With a debt at such high levels, it is not surprising that we are still experiencing an anemic 2 percent growth rate, which has produced the lowest job participation rate in 30 years. The ever-rising public debt threatens to drive up interest rates, crowd out private investment, and increase inflation. The implications will be severe and pronounced for all Americans, but most especially for the poor, the elderly, and the middle class.

Mr. Speaker, if we don't deal with the debt now, the debt will deal with us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon to honor Juan Manuel Salvat, owner of Miami's first Spanish-language bookseller: Libreria Universal, which will sadly be closing after his retirement in June.

Having fled Castro's totalitarian grip, Juan Manuel was eager to rescue the essential works of the Cuban culture.

He sought to tell the story of the Cuban exile, and that is how in 1965 he founded Universal Publishing and its subsidiary, Universal Bookseller & Distributor.

Since then, this company has been dedicated to the distribution and publication of books from Hispanic and Cuban authors, including my father, Enrique Ros.

I thank Salvat for playing a major role in illustrating the road traveled by the exile community through the more than 1,600 published titles, while giving readers a deeper understanding of Cuba and Latin America's culture, history, politics, and literature. We will miss this great cultural leader.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Cipriano Garza, who this Saturday will be joining the ranks of the select few members in the South Dade High School's Alumni Hall of Fame.

Throughout his life, Cip--as he is known--has achieved high levels of personal success and excelled in his profession, making him a great example of the diversity and ingenuity of the south Florida community.

During his senior year at South Dade High, Cip set new State and school records for the 100-yard dash at the State Championships while crossing the finish line barefoot.

As a son of migrant farm workers, Cip has used his unique perspective in working with Dade County Public Schools to create innovative educational programs and eradicate the school dropout rate among children of migrant farm workers.

In 1993, after being appointed a special assistant to the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Cip became the first Mexican-American to receive a Presidential appointment in the State of Florida.

Cip's many accomplishments and dedication to the betterment of the community make him deserving of this great honor.

Congratulations to Cip Garza.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in memory of Mr. Joseph Gregory Fandino, a resident of south Florida and a hero who lost his life while serving our Nation in Vietnam in 1972.

Last Friday, on Foreign Affairs Day, Joseph was honored by the Department of State and the American Foreign Service Association, who commemorated their colleagues who died in the line of duty overseas.

Joseph was one of the first Hispanic-born service officers who, despite being told by classmates that he had the wrong kind of ethnic background, served the United States valiantly for many years.

Joseph also served in the Air Force during the Korean war and as a Foreign Service officer in Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, Spain and Canada where he worked with large numbers of refugees fleeing Cuba.

Joseph put himself in harm's way, choosing to sacrifice his safety in order to assist others and advance freedom and peace around the world.

His commitment to our American ideals, his courage and his good humor during difficult times will be forever remembered.

Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to salute our heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and honor Esperanza Bravo de Varona and Lesbia Orta Varona on their well-deserved retirement after a long career with the Otto G. Richter Library at the University of Miami.

Their distinguished careers were marked by impressive contributions to a special collection called the Cuban Heritage Collection.

Their commitment to excellence has truly allowed them to shape the lives of many students, academics, and historians, and in that I count my father, Enrique Ros, who authored 19 books on Cuban history and local politics and relied upon the original documents found in the library's collection. Many other authors and historians have also come to rely on these documents.

I have great confidence that the library will continue in the positive direction that Esperanza and Lesbia have set for it and that their commitment will be remembered for many years to come, Mr. Speaker.

As a former Florida certified teacher, I know that there are few rewards greater than the satisfaction of investing in education, and I thank Esperanza and Lesbia for having empowered so many in our community with the resources and guidance to expand their knowledge.

I wish them both all the best in this new chapter of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise awareness about the grave atrocities committed by Kermit Gosnell against innocent lives at his Philadelphia abortion clinic. Witnesses called the clinic a ``house of horrors'' and described a procedure known as ``snipping,'' in which the backs of babies' necks are cut with scissors to ``ensure fetal demise.''

Abortion clinics across our Nation take the lives of 1.2 million babies every year. This is murder, and it must be stopped. We have the responsibility to protect the unborn, as well as the sanctity of all innocent human life.

These wholesale murder clinics continue to take innocent lives. The prosecution of Kermit Gosnell is a positive step toward stopping our Nation's slide toward unrestricted abortions.

I thank the gentleman for the time.

I so agree with what the gentleman has been discussing, which is the difference between recess and district work period. It is so important for Members of Congress to maintain close attention and close ties with the constituents we so proudly represent. If we don't go back home, if we don't meet with constituents, if we don't talk to the Lions Clubs and the Rotary Clubs and Chambers of Commerce and everyday people who come to our congressional offices every day seeking help and remedy from the bureaucracy of the Federal Government, we would really not know what is going on in our congressional districts.

Many people prefer to move up to D.C., and they get the Beltway fever and they rarely go back home. I think that's the wrong approach. I value the time that we get to be in our district so we can be in touch with our constituents. I'm lucky enough that Miami is not too far from D.C. We have many flights every day, and so I'm able to go home every weekend to be with my constituents. But it's difficult to really plan very much without knowing for sure that you're going to be home for an extended period of time, so I value the district work period.

This Saturday, for example, what is my day like? Well, we have a student award ceremony where we're giving

awards to every student who has gotten good grades, who's had good attendance, who's been most improved throughout the year. Then we'll also be having an art competition at another local school. I'll be meeting with human rights activists who have come from Cuba to talk about the deteriorating human rights condition. We'll be having a get- together with the Dade County Farm Bureau. It's a very extended day that can only be possible when we have these district work periods.

On the issue of sequestration itself, as the gentleman, my colleague on the Rules Committee, has pointed out time and time again, the House has dealt with the sequestration problem not once, but twice. We have passed bills and given them to the Senate. And I agree with the gentleman from Utah when he says it's time for the Senate to do its job. We have sent them the legislation. It's time for them to debate it, send it back to us, and let's have a conference and see on what points we can or cannot agree.

But if we keep passing bill after bill and the Senate just sits on its hands--as it likes to do--and doesn't pass meaningful legislation, doesn't even care to debate it, it's very difficult for us to get ourselves out of this sequestration jam.

We are willing to work with the Senate, and we've made that point very clear. And the way that we deliver that message very clearly is by sending not one, but two bills over to the other body. We would like those bills to be debated, and we would like them to settle on legislation that we can both agree on that will not be a perfect bill, but will address some of the major holes that we have with sequestration, whether it's airport delays--whether they're real or manufactured--whether they're problems of people accessing the social service safety net that we want to provide for the most needy of our constituency.

So I thank the gentleman for the time so that I can highlight that this is not recess, that this is district work period. I don't know how others handle their week at home, but I can tell you I've got a full calendar, and it means working hard for the people in this job that I really hold in such high esteem. I never forget that the people I work for are the people with whom I'm going to meet next week, and those are my constituents, the residents of the 27th District of Florida.

So we can't be successful Members of Congress unless we're in touch with the people we represent. I enjoy that opportunity. Of course, I get to go back to a lovely district like Miami, Florida. But whatever district you represent, it's important to be in touch with our constituents so they can tell us their needs, and then we can come back here and fight so their needs are addressed in legislation like the legislation we sent to the Senate not once, but twice, dealing with these sequestration cuts and the devastating impacts it has on our community.

So I thank the gentleman from Utah for his time. I hope that people understand, especially our constituents understand, the value of district work periods and that it will keep us more attuned to our constituency and better able to address the needs that they are facing each and every day.

We know that those needs are great. There is no way that we're saying, There is no problem with sequestration; this is fine. Nobody is saying that. These are real problems. We need to solve them. We have a plan to do it, and we've done it twice.

So I thank the gentleman for the time, and I will continue to try to work in a bipartisan manner in our Rules Committee, as well as in our Foreign Affairs Committee, to see what we can do to make our Nation safer, to secure our future for the next generation.

I'm proud to have with me here, Madison, a young lady who is from St. Louis, Missouri. Today is Take Our Children to Work Day. Madison is not my child, but she belongs to all of us; and I want to make sure that the future for Madison is a bright future where she doesn't graduate from college with terrible debt, where she has a lot of opportunities available to her, where she knows that every path is available and open to her, that there will be no problem for her, whether she's male or female, what nationality, what religion, what ethnic background. This is the land of opportunity and this is the land of equality. I want that for all of the children of the United States of America. And I think having Madison here with me today is a very important point to say to my colleagues: We want a bright future for Madison. We don't want to have her be shouldering this massive debt that we're piling onto the next generation.

If we continue to be not careful stewards of the taxpayer dollars, that's what we'll be passing off to Madison--insurmountable debt and a huge problem for her as she advances in her career.

So I thank the gentleman from Utah for the opportunity so we can highlight the next generation of Americans, the Madisons, who are going to inherit, we hope, a better society. And if we do our job right, they will be able to inherit that better society.

I thank the gentleman for the time.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it may be in order at any time on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, for the Speaker to declare a recess, subject to the call of the Chair, for the purpose of receiving in Joint Meeting Her Excellency Park Geun-hye, President of the Republic of Korea.

Madam Speaker, the case for tax reform was never made more clear when Americans recently struggled to fill out their increasingly complicated income tax forms. What we really need now is Tax Code Liberation Day.

Our convoluted Tax Code has become a major obstacle to individual freedom, which must be removed as soon as possible. It prevents small businesses from hiring more workers in what is now a nearly dead economic recovery.

The burden of preparing your taxes is now nearly as onerous as actually paying for the taxes. It takes 13 hours for the average American to prepare his or her taxes. The Tax Code remains almost 4 million words, many of which are incomprehensible.

We must all work together to free small businesses and individuals of the most complex regulation of them all--the Federal Income Tax Code.