Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Adam Asher Duker, who received a Fulbright grant to study the Reformation in Switzerland. The Fulbright program promotes cross-cultural understanding and unifies the world's brightest minds to embark on innovative research projects. Adam Duker was selected due to an impressive resume of leadership and academic achievement maintained throughout his university and post-graduate career.

His passion and motivation certainly deepens our connection between cultures and fosters a stronger relationship between our countries. In Switzerland, Adam worked with the brightest Swiss academics to study the Reformation. As a graduate student at the University of Notre Dame, Adam's dissertation illustrates the viewpoint of Christians through the lens of the Hebrew bible, and explains Israelite identity transformation of Christian armies. His studies in Switzerland will surely navigate an uncharted course to shed light on a unique perspective of religious conflict in early modern Europe.

I am honored to recognize Adam Asher Duker's exemplary work ethic, intelligence, and accomplished research collected at home and abroad. On behalf of Indiana's Second District, I am proud to recognize Adam for his prestigious accomplishments and wish him luck toward future endeavors.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, in May, the President declared a renewed intention to transfer detainees from Guantanamo ``to the greatest extent possible.'' He also announced he was lifting his self-imposed suspension on the transfers of detainees to Yemen.

This, I believe, is a dangerous policy. It is dangerous for our troops fighting overseas. It is also dangerous for citizens living in the homeland.

The amendment I am offering prohibits the Department of Defense from transferring Gitmo detainees to Yemen for one year. In other words, this amendment simply puts into the law the President's previous judgment that transfers to Yemen should be suspended.

Those listening to the debate today might be asking: ``Why is this prohibition needed?'' For starters, the Defense Department should not transfer detainees to Yemen because they represent some of the most dangerous terrorists known in the world.

It is important to note that these individuals are still in Gitmo because even the Obama administration believes they are being legally held. The Bush administration didn't feel comfortable transferring these terrorists. After Yemen was the starting point for the foiled airline bombing over Detroit, the Obama administration correctly decided not to transfer these terrorists back to that troubled nation.

These individuals pose a real threat to the United States. Detainees at Gitmo pose a real threat to our national security. Transfers to Yemen should be prohibited because Yemen has become a hotbed for terrorist activity. In fact, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula--which is widely believed to be the most lethal of all al Qaeda affiliates--is based in Yemen.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper testified in 2011 that AQAP remains the affiliate most likely to conduct a transnational attack. This is an organization with which we are at war, an organization that is resolute on killing as many Americans as they can if we don't stop them first.

It makes no sense to send terrorists to a country where there is an active al Qaeda network that we know has been engaged in targeting the U.S. The Christmas Day Detroit bombing attempt, the ink cartridge bomb plot, and the radicalization of the Fort Hood shooter all can be traced back to Yemen.

Let's look at the facts. We should not be in the business of sending Gitmo detainees to Yemen because, one, they represent some of the most dangerous terrorists in the world and, two, Yemen is home of the most active al Qaeda affiliate, and lastly, because Yemen has a poor track record of securing its prisons.

A Yemen citizen, the convicted mastermind of the USS Cole bombing who took the lives of 17 American sailors, was being held by Yemeni authorities when he escaped from prison in 2003. Luckily, he was recaptured, but he was able to escape again from Yemeni custody in 2006 along with 22 other terrorists.

Why risk another jailbreak by people who intend to do us harm? This is a commonsense amendment with the purpose of protecting Americans.

My amendment does not say the President can't transfer detainees elsewhere. My amendment is only in effect for 1 year to give Yemen time to demonstrate it can safely and securely handle Gitmo transfers.

Before taking additional steps, I also believe it is prudent that Congress receive the Department of Defense's report on factors that contribute to re-engagement so that informed choices about future transfers can be made. This report is mandated by law, and it is currently overdue.

In closing, I want to share a statistic from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. In 2012, ODNI reported that the combined suspected and confirmed re-engagement rate of former Gitmo detainees has risen to an alarming 27.9 percent. When I speak with constituents--moms and dads--back home who ask me how safe we really are, this rate of re-engagement comes to mind.

I ask my colleagues to consider the national security implications of transferring detainees to Yemen, and join me in support of my amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Cotton).

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, we worked for months on bipartisan legislation to confront this problem. The time for this Congress to act on this issue is right now. I ask you to support the bipartisan solution in this bill, reject the procedural motion to recommit, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Last week's jobs report was yet another stark reminder that our economy has far from recovered. Nearly 12 million Americans remain out of work, and 4.4 million people have been out of work for 6 months or more; and these are more than just numbers that come out of some monthly Bureau of Labor statistics. These are our fellow Americans. These are our friends and our family. These are our neighbors and our kids. These are the folks next door. And they--each and every one of them--deserve better.

House Republicans have passed legislation that helps working families maintain that crucial work-life balance. We've passed a long-term fix to the student loan programs to make life better for our recent grads.

These are real solutions, and they're all a part of the House Republican plan to create jobs and secure our future.

I rise today to speak in support of this rule.

Being new to the HASC Committee, I was very encouraged to see the bipartisan fashion in which this bill was crafted. We worked together as a committee, and we had vigorous debates on these issues in the committee. I even had the privilege to work with colleagues across the aisle to address the issue of sexual assault language.

I want to thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for making efforts to combat sexual assault as a cornerstone of this bill.

Within this bill are provisions that would strip commanders of their authority to dismiss findings. My bipartisan provision adds rape, sexual assault or other sexual misconduct to the protected communications of servicemembers with a Member of Congress or with an inspector general. This bill also establishes minimum sentencing guidelines. It establishes an independent panel to examine the role of the commander in sex-related offenses. It also reviews the practices of military criminal investigative organizations in sex-related crimes.

Mr. Speaker, we spent months debating and drafting all of the reforms I just mentioned in this bill. There are a lot of good things in the overall bill. The time for Congress to eradicate sexual abuse in the military is now. I urge my colleagues to support the rule so that we can move these much-needed reforms one step closer to becoming law.

Mr. Chairman, I'd like to thank Representative Turner for giving me this opportunity to speak in favor of his amendment. He's been a leader on this issue, and I applaud his efforts and commitment to this cause.

Currently, there's no minimum punishment required when someone is convicted of military sexual assault. This means a servicemember can be convicted of a serious crime and receive no punishment. The amendment will impose a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years confinement and a dishonorable discharge for conviction of rape and sexual assault.

Right now, 22 States have mandatory minimum sentences for those convicted of rape and sexual assault. My State, Indiana, is one of those States. In Indiana, there's a mandatory sentence of not less than 6 years for rape.

It's inexcusable that servicemembers guilty of the most heinous crime should be allowed to remain in the military, allowing them to coexist with victims and potentially commit repeated offenses. Criminals must receive the full weight of justice for their wrongdoings.

America's sons and daughters deserve protection while serving in the military and should never feel vulnerable or revictimized after suffering from any form of sexual assault or misconduct. This amendment is a much-needed reform that ensures victims receive the justice they deserve.

Mr. Chairman, while I greatly respect the author of this amendment, I must rise in opposition.

This amendment does, in fact, strike section 1251 of the underlying bill that expresses a sense of Congress in regard to Syria. Section 1251 says the President should have a plan in place to secure U.S. interests in Syria; that the U.S. should support the stability of our allies like Israel--our strongest ally in the region; and that the U.S. should continue to conduct rigorous planning to secure any chemical and biological stockpiles. It does not say that the U.S. should intervene in Syria. And it requires the President to provide a supplemental budget should military action be necessary.

Although much delayed, the confirmation from the Obama administration just a few hours ago that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons against rebel forces demonstrates why section 1251 is needed. It's time to get serious about addressing Syria and develop a plan to protect American interests in the region.

According to the President, Assad has crossed a red line. By turning a blind eye to this civil war that has already claimed more than 90,000 lives, we lose credibility within the region and embolden bad actors like Iran and Hezbollah.

I would ask my colleagues to vote against this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee for yielding me time. I also want to thank him for his tremendous leadership, and Mr. Smith, as well, in crafting a bill that brings solutions to combat sexual violence in the Armed Forces.

This bill includes a provision that I authored with Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez to encourage victims to step out of the darkness. The provision specifically identifies reports of sexual assault as a form of communication under whistleblower protections. It ensures that victims cannot face reprisal for reporting acts of sexual assault.

Sexual violence has reached epidemic proportions and is eroding the foundations of trust that our military traditions have been built upon.

I had the privilege to visit our troops in Afghanistan and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the finest military in the world. Hearing their concerns on this issue firsthand typifies the horrific reality of this situation.

Mr. Chairman, there were an estimated 26,000 cases of military sexual assault last year alone, with only 3,600 victims reporting. It's reported that 62 percent of those who have been assaulted went on to experience some form of retaliation.

Citing these facts and figures does not attest to the victims and the real-life faces of this problem. We're talking about our sons and daughters. We are talking about our brothers and sisters.

In Indiana, a brave woman named Lisa Wilken, an Air Force veteran, came forward to share her own story of repetitive sexual abuse that she suffered during her military career. After being raped, she reported the incident to the Air Force. Her description of the reporting process was chilling. Whistleblower protections like what I'm talking about today will create an environment for safe reporting so that victims like Lisa can come forward and demand justice.

For the troops who've been victimized while serving their country and the countless Americans who some day want to serve in this great military, I ask that we do the right thing. It's time for this Congress to do the right thing, and it's time for this Congress to act. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill and the thoughtful reforms contained within.

Mr. Speaker, last night the House Armed Services Committee approved its version of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2014.

Included was a provision I sponsored, along with Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, to extend whistleblower protections to victims of military sexual abuse. This bipartisan proposal will strengthen whistleblower protection laws and ensure that victims are protected from punishment for reporting sexual assault in the military.

The Pentagon recently reported that an estimated 26,000 servicemembers were sexually assaulted last year with just over 3,000 cases reported. This one statistic alone is chilling, and it's only the tip of the iceberg.

Our military represents the bravest men and women in the Nation, and growing reports of sexual assault and underreporting are sadly tarnishing the reputation of our Armed Forces. This bill gets to the root of the problem by creating a safe reporting environment and demanding accountability from our military leaders.

Passage of this bill will be a step in the right direction to help victims and restore trust in our military.

I am pleased this bipartisan provision is one step closer to becoming law.

Mr. Speaker, today I wish to honor Civil War Medal of Honor recipient Landsman Walter P. Johnston.

At the young age of 13, Landsman Johnston bravely enlisted in the United States Navy. He was assigned to the USS Fort Hindman, a steamboat built in Jeffersonville, Indiana. During an engagement near Harrisonburg, Louisiana, Landsman Johnston suffered a severe hand wound that dramatically impaired his physical condition. Despite his horrendous injury, Landsman Johnston bravely took the place of another seaman to sponge and lead one of the cannons against the Confederate forces. The USS Fort Hindman was severely damaged in the battle, but thanks to the heroism of Landsman Johnston and his fellow sailors, the ship lived to see another day. After serving in the Navy, Landsman Johnston moved to La Porte, Indiana where he worked in the broom manufacturing business, until he passed away on May 8th, 1888 at the age of 39.

Too often, the heroic tales of our Nation's brave servicemen are lost to the back pages of history. Thanks to the hard work of Ms. Colleen Malinowski and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Landsman Walter P. Johnston's legacy has been revived. Landsman Johnston leaves behind an incredible legacy that will live on to inspire many Hoosiers. His life is a testament to the American fighting spirit that still lives on in all our men and women currently serving in the Armed Forces.

I am honored to recognize the selfless heroics of Landsman Walter P. Johnston. Joining Hoosiers across the State, we remember his brave actions that helped preserve the lives of his fellow sailors, and the Union.

Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, who will be honored on May 22, 2013 in a special reception at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. to celebrate his upcoming 96th birthday and 70th anniversary as a priest. Rev. Hesburgh was ordained as a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross on June 24, 1943 at Notre Dame.

Rev. Hesburgh taught theology and served as a chaplain to returning veteran students, next moving on to serve as president of the university for thirty-five years. Retiring in 1987, Rev. Hesburgh was considered one of the most distinguished and transformational leaders in American higher education. A familiar face on campus, Rev. Hesburgh was well-known for remembering the names and faces of the university students, always acknowledging others with heartfelt greetings.

Outside of Notre Dame, Rev. Hesburgh continued his distinguished commitment to public service, shaping history at home and abroad. He was first tapped by President Dwight Eisenhower to serve on the National Science Board in 1954. Over the years, Rev. Hesburgh was appointed to over one hundred other advisory boards, developing peaceful solutions to nurture the civil rights movement and immigration reform. Due to his consistent efforts to pursue justice and strengthen human dignity, Rev. Hesburgh served as a member of the Civil Rights Commission for over a decade, including three years as the chairman.

Advising multiple United States presidents, Rev. Hesburgh was awarded the Medal of

Freedom, the highest civilian honor, by President Lyndon Johnson. He was also honored with the Congressional Gold Medal by President Bill Clinton in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol, recognized for his work in civil rights and world peace. Graciously welcoming many American presidents to the University of Notre Dame, Rev. Hesburgh has created a powerful connection between our world leaders and the university.

Rev. Hesburgh has touched the lives of countless individuals around the world on his never-ending mission to spread world peace, eradicate poverty, and alleviate hunger. Approaching his upcoming 96th birthday and 70th anniversary as a priest, there are certainly many accomplishments to celebrate from the Notre Dame campus to the global community. Most of all, I applaud Rev. Hesburgh for following God's calling to the priesthood and being a good and faithful servant to the people.

It is an honor to recognize Rev. Hesburgh for his patriotism and devoted commitment to bring peace, justice, and humility. His dignity and passion will be admired for generations for the unparalleled achievements and endless kindness that has forever shaped our society.

I rise today to honor the service and sacrifice of our Nation's police officers.

This week is Police Week, and I urge all Americans to take time and thank the men and women who keep us safe and to reflect on the heroes we have lost in the line of duty.

I am continually impressed and humbled by the devoted efforts of law enforcement officers in our communities. From tracking down criminals to conducting safety programs for our kids, our law enforcement officers work around the clock, routinely putting themselves in harm's way to keep us safe.

Sometimes officers make the ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind grieving loved ones and communities in mourning. At times like these, there are no words to adequately express the gratitude that we owe to our law enforcement.

To all of our police officers, our Nation is grateful for your bravery and integrity, and is indebted to your public service.

I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Madam Speaker, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle can try as much as they would like today to distract the people from the real issue at hand. But the fact remains today that ObamaCare was bad policy when it was enacted, and it's getting worse the closer we get to its implementation.

When I hear from Hoosiers in the State of Indiana, from business owners trying to run companies to seniors seeking quality care options, I hear overwhelming uncertainty and concern, and ObamaCare is the driving force.

To protect Americans from this impending train wreck, I support full repeal of this law, which has been nothing more than a string of broken promises. Let's just quickly look at a few.

Broken promise number one: the President claimed that he would not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficit. However, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that this bill adds almost $2 trillion. After consecutive trillion-dollar deficits, our national debt is soaring towards $17 trillion. It's time to stop spending money we simply don't have.

Broken promise number two: the President claimed that no family making less than $250,000 a year will see their taxes increase. However, the Joint Committee on Taxation reports that ObamaCare includes 21 new or higher taxes that will cost taxpayers roughly $1.1 trillion.

I recently had the chance to tour an orthopedic manufacturing company in my district in Mishawaka, Indiana. During this visit, I heard real- life stories from real-life employees about the taxes in ObamaCare. I was warned that the new medical device tax will prevent the company from creating good-paying jobs in Indiana for Hoosiers who are out of work. The reality is this tax will increase the cost of medical devices used by our senior citizens and our wounded warriors.

Broken promise number three: the President repeatedly claimed that his proposal could save families $2,500 a year in health care premiums when, in fact, researchers from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that average family premiums have instead increased by over $3,000 since 2008. If not repealed, this law will continue to increase premiums and eat away at the paychecks of single moms and young families all across the country. The reality, Madam Speaker, this Affordable Care Act is not so affordable.

Broken promise number four: the President claimed he would protect Medicare. But instead of protecting Medicare and making it stronger, he raided $716 billion from the program to fund his government takeover of our health. The millions of seniors who depend on Medicare deserve better. My mom, a Medicare beneficiary, deserves better.

Madam Speaker, we don't need this law, period. We don't need a law that tramples over our freedoms by allowing the government to make our personal health care choices. We don't need a law that restricts our access to quality and affordable health care. And we definitely don't need a law enforced by an agency actively targeting citizens with opposing political views.

I urge all of my colleagues to defeat the motion to recommit and stand today and repeal ObamaCare.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Thank you to my good friend and my colleague from Indiana, Representative Messer, for organizing this Special Order tonight.

It has been, Representative Messer, over 3 years since ObamaCare was signed into law. In a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing, Senator Max Baucus told Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that he now sees this bill as ``a huge train wreck.'' I couldn't agree more. ObamaCare is a huge train wreck.

A few weeks ago I held roundtable discussions in many of the Chambers of Commerce in my area, in each county in my district. I sat down with a wide spectrum of industries, ranging from agriculture to manufacturing.

The prominent topic of each discussion was ObamaCare and the uncertainty it creates for Hoosier businesses that cannot afford the overwhelming taxes and employer mandates. From longtime small businessowners to aspiring start-up companies, employers agree that ObamaCare is largely responsible for smothering economic development. If the President and Members of Congress were truly listening to the American people's opinion of this law, they would see the writing on the wall: we must repeal ObamaCare.

The State of Indiana is proud to be a global leader in the medical device industry that my colleague just spoke of. However, ObamaCare is forcing a 2.3 percent tax on medical device manufacturing. This tax affects the orthopedic industry, causing rises in costs for seniors, veterans, and patients in need.

On the 3-year anniversary of ObamaCare, I met with Complexus Medical in Mishawaka, an emerging leader in orthopedic instrument manufacturing in the Second District. I was told that this tax will stifle innovation and could force companies to consider overseas supply chains.

The medical device tax is of great concern also for our veterans. That's why I sent a letter, along with my colleagues from Indiana, to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs asking how this tax will impact veterans care. After the sacrifice and fearless bravery demonstrated by our troops and our veterans, it is unacceptable for them to worry about their access to quality care.

And it gets worse. Just this week, we learned more shocking news when the IRS admitted they're targeting certain groups of people, a practice that is completely unlawful, unethical, and downright shameful. Their willful actions to defy transparency have already qualified the IRS for a comprehensive congressional investigation, with at least two hearings scheduled in the House in the coming weeks.

But let's not forget, the IRS is set to play a major role in ObamaCare from enforcing the individual mandate to distributing tax credits. If the IRS cannot operate under the light of transparency today with their current duties, I am deeply concerned that further responsibilities with sensitive information and controversial policies are a recipe for disaster.

This bill, ladies and gentlemen, is spiraling out of control. It's time for Washington to heed the overwhelming evidence and wipe the slate clean to show the American people that we are listening. Now, more than ever, the President and the Congress must restore transparency at the Federal level. I support the full repeal of ObamaCare and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, May 6-10 is Teacher Appreciation Week, and I rise today to honor teachers all across America.

My husband, Dean, is a teacher, and I see firsthand every day the love and dedication that go into teaching. By investing in the lives of our children and educating the next generation, our educators are ensuring a bright future for our nation.

Behind every successful adult is an even more successful teacher. Each Member of Congress would not be here today if we did not have teachers who invested in us, and I am sure each of us remembers a favorite teacher who made learning fun and empowered us to chase our dreams. As the first person in my family to attend college, I know firsthand the value of hard work and a quality education.

I am proud of the excellent, dedicated teachers we have in the State of Indiana, and I am grateful for their commitment to our children. To all the teachers in Indiana and across America, thank you for all you do for this nation and for the next generation. You are an inspiration to us all.

Mr. Speaker, according to the Department of Defense, in 2011, there were an estimated 19,000 victims of sexual violence in the military; however, only 2,700 servicemembers actually filed a sexual assault report. These numbers are daunting and completely inexcusable.

Earlier this week, I was proud to introduce bipartisan legislation with Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. This bill strengthens whistleblower protections for military sexual assault victims. These protections ensure victims of sexual crimes have the same rights as other military whistleblowers.

Today, we have the opportunity to provide servicemen and -women with the peace of mind that they can report sexual violence without fear of retaliation. I encourage all my colleagues to support H.R. 1864 and help eradicate sexual violence from the Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 129 on H.R. 588, I am not recorded because of flight delays. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 130 on H.R. 291, I am not recorded because of flight delays. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 131 on H.R. 507, I am not recorded because of flight delays. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''