Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes on Monday, May 22, 2017. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 269, H.R. 1862; and YEA on Roll Call No. 270, H.R. 1842.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to congratulate my colleague, my friend, and fellow Buckeye, Congressman Steve Stivers, on his promotion to brigadier general. I am thankful to be joined by my colleagues in the House and our Senators, Senator Brown and Senator Portman, as we applaud our colleague.

He is the first Ohio National Guard officer in more than 100 years to concurrently serve as a Member of Congress and one of the few people in U.S. history to have held both positions simultaneously. Congressman Stivers joined the National Guard in 1985, and has served for over 30 years.

I, and many other Ohioans, appreciate his years of service, both in the military and in the United States Congress.

Congratulations, Brigadier General Stivers, and thank you for your service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 38th Anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which originated in the Congress, and which has been instrumental in protecting the people of Taiwan from the ambitions of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Along with the Six Assurances issued by President Ronald Reagan in 1982, the TRA forms the basis of our security relationship with one of our most important security and trading partners in Asia. The U.S.- Taiwanese relationship has particular importance for my State of Ohio. Ohio's exports to Taiwan are valued at over $500 million a year and are growing in value. Taiwan is also one of our largest export markets in Asia. Together, the Six Assurances and TRA remain the bedrock of the U.S.-Taiwanese relationship, but we must do more.

As the PRC forges ever-stronger links with its neighbors through trade and investment, so we must find new ways to strengthen Taiwan's regional presence and secure our own interests in the wake of our withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. It is my hope that we take bilateral steps to deepen our own trade relationship, which I hope will culminate in a free trade agreement. Such a goal, when achieved, will enhance our own economic presence in the region and contribute to Taiwan's freedom and prosperity.

For myself and on behalf of my constituents, I celebrate our friendship with the people of Taiwan as this anniversary approaches, and offer my congratulations to them as we celebrate their democratic way of life.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 173, YEA on Roll Call No. 174, and YEA on Roll Call No. 175.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Stephan B. Wilder, Chief of Police for North Canton, Ohio, who is now retiring after 36 years of service to the city. Chief Wilder began his law enforcement career with the city in 1981 as an unpaid auxiliary officer. Two years later, he was hired as a part time patrolman, and his full time service to the citizens of North Canton began in 1986. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1996 and became Chief of Police on May 29, 2011.

Before serving the City of North Canton, Chief Wilder was a graduate of Glenwood High School and Kent State University, where he studied Criminal Justice. He went on to obtain his Master's in Criminal Justice Administration from Tiffin University, and his education also includes studies at Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police and Command, as well as the Ohio Police Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Leadership College.

In addition to serving his community in a law enforcement capacity, Chief Wilder has also served North Canton through his active participation in many civic and professional organizations. He has held positions and honors with the North Canton YMCA, North Canton Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, Ohio Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Stark County Police Chiefs Association, and Boy Scouts of America Buckeye Council. He has been active with the Boy Scouts since he became an Eagle Scout in 1967.

Throughout his career, Chief Wilder has received numerous rewards and honors. He has been honored with the Franklin M. Kremi Leadership Award by Northwestern University and by the Plain Local Schools Foundation and Alumni Association Hall of Distinction.

This week, the City of North Canton celebrates Chief Wilder's distinguished career and his retirement. I offer my congratulations to Chief Wilder on his retirement and thank him for his years of service. North Canton and I are grateful to him for everything he has done as a member of the city's law enforcement and as a leader in the community. I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in paying tribute to a valued public servant and wishing him a happy retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Sam Johnson of Texas for his work on this important resolution and his many years of service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, in the final weeks of President Obama's final term, the Social Security Administration finalized a rule that flat out discriminates against millions of individuals with disabilities by denying them their Second Amendment rights.

But it gets worse. Not only does the rule place these innocent individuals' names in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, it does so in a way that strips them of their due process. Specifically, it would subject these people to a very timely appeals process requiring them to prove their own innocence before their name could be removed.

In other words, this rule turns due process on its head by shifting the burden of proof from the government to the individual to ensure their constitutional right is not stripped away.

Moreover, as a member of the Social Security subcommittee, I am very concerned that this rule falls way outside the bounds of the Social Security Administration's mission. Instead of using the Social Security administrator's field office staff to help Ohioans manage and understand their benefits, this rule diverts resources away from that core mission toward one that is constitutionally suspect.

That is why I am proud to be an original cosponsor of Chairman Sam Johnson of Texas' resolution that protects Americans' Second Amendment rights and protects Americans with disabilities, their constitutional right, to due process under the law.

I urge my colleagues to support this joint resolution of disapproval.

Mr. Speaker, in the waning days of his Presidency, the Obama administration finalized the stream buffer rule, a final parting shot at the coal industry on his way out the door. Not once did the Office of Surface Mining visit and assess the economic impact of this rule on operating mines. In fact, in their analysis, they relied on ``hypothetical mines.''

These aren't hypothetical mines and they aren't hypothetical jobs that will be affected. In the real world, this rule could mean the end of coal production in Ohio and the end of thousands of good-paying jobs in countless communities like the one I grew up in.

Ohio will be directly impacted by this rule. Fifty-nine percent of our electricity comes from coal-fired power plants, and Ohio's coal industry employs thousands of hardworking Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote to stop this rule, to stop the war on coal, and to stop this rule which could cause hardworking Americans to lose their jobs. I urge my colleagues to support this joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act.

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes on Monday, January 30, 2017. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea on Roll Call No. 66 and Yea on Roll Call No. 67.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 406:

My flight into DC on July 14, 2014, was rerouted to Norfolk, VA, due to inclement weather, and I was unable to make it to the House floor in time for votes.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 405--my flight into DC on July 14, 2014, was rerouted to Norfolk, VA due to inclement weather and I was unable to make it to the House floor in time for votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Bob Lapp for his nearly 40 years of service to The Timken Company. Since joining the company in 1975, he has served in a number of unique positions, ranging from supervising general accounting to investor relations and public affairs. As the outgoing Vice President for Government Affairs and Community Relations, he leaves behind a legacy of trustworthiness, honesty, and reliability that made him an asset to not only The Timken Company, but to Northeast Ohio. I consider Bob a friend and I am grateful for his counsel throughout my time in office. I know I can always count on Bob to provide me with accurate, relevant information about an issue, putting aside politics and getting to the heart of good policy.

Born and raised in Coshocton, Ohio, Bob is a graduate of two great Ohio schools, earning his bachelor's degree from Miami University and his master's degree from the University of Akron. An active member of our local community, Bob has served on the board of several organizations including the Ohio Manufacturers Association, Stark County Government Leadership Academy, and the Ohio Steel Council. He also has chaired the Ohio Prosperity Project, an organization that educates and informs Ohioans about public policy issues and elections.

Bob's retirement will allow him to spend more time with his family, especially Kaci and his six-month-old granddaughter, Kyli.

I'd like to thank Bob for his years of hard work and wish him nothing but the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4414, the Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act, a bill introduced by my good friend, John Carney.

When Mr. Carney and I first came to Congress, we looked around in search of others who, like us, were interested in finding common ground. Mr. Carney and I now meet regularly for breakfast with a group of Members from both sides of the aisle.

We come together to discuss commonsense ways to solve our Nation's problems that Members on both sides of the aisle can get behind. The bill that is on the floor today is an example of this type of commonsense approach to making policy.

The purpose of the bill is to fix a problem created by the President's health care law. If we don't fix it, 1,200 jobs will be lost across the country.

Mr. Carney and I may not agree on everything. In fact, the President's health care law is one thing we disagree on; but we do agree this specific provision is another example of one of the law's unintended consequences.

This bill before us today will keep America competitive and save American jobs. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act.

Each day, we continue to learn more about just how broken the government-run health care system is and how it continues to negatively impact families and small businesses.

Now, it is clear that the employer mandate, a key provision within the law, will not only cost jobs, but it could force fire companies to close their doors which would jeopardize public safety.

As a former volunteer firefighter and former mayor of a small town in Ohio, I know that our volunteer fire companies and emergency responders rely primarily on donations to fund their operations.

Throughout the country, nearly 90 percent of all fire departments are volunteers. If these volunteers are forced to comply with the employer mandate, it is undeniable that our local communities will be devastated, as we witness fire companies forced to close their doors because they simply cannot afford to continue operations. This is truly unacceptable.

I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Representative Barletta, for introducing this important legislation, of which I am a proud cosponsor. I urge all of my colleagues in the House to join us in standing up for our hardworking local heroes by supporting the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4118, the SIMPLE Fairness Act.

According to a recent Gallup poll, 51 percent of Americans disapprove of the President's health care law, and for good reason.

The rollout of the failed, misguided law was nothing short of disastrous. Its plagued Web site prevented many Americans from purchasing health insurance on the Federal and State exchanges. Though the President promised lower costs, many are facing the reality of higher premiums and a steep penalty if they cannot afford the plans that are offered.

Recently, the administration delayed the employer mandate for a second time, leaving intact the mandate that requires individuals to purchase health insurance or pay a fine.

The bill before us today would ensure that no American will be forced to pay the individual mandate penalty tax in 2014. It is evident to this Chamber and Americans across the country that the President's health care law is too complex, too costly, and completely unworkable. Ultimately, this law should be fully repealed, but I am here today because I believe that all hardworking Americans deserve relief from the President's health care law.

Congress should afford individuals the same advantage the administration is giving to businesses and delay the individual mandate. It is simply common sense. I ask my colleagues to come together and pass this important bill and send it to the President to be signed into law.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 3826, the Electricity Security and Affordability Act.

The United States is fortunate to have more coal than any other country in the world. This vital resource is currently used to meet nearly half of our electricity needs and to support over 550,000 jobs.

As a Representative of Ohio, a State that produces more than 24 million tons of coal per year and uses it to generate over 50 percent of our electricity, I understand firsthand the importance of keeping this abundant and affordable natural resource a part of America's energy supply. Unfortunately, over the past 5 years, this administration's policies have led to the closure of hundreds of coal- fired plants across the country. In fact, in just 1 year, Ohio's coal- generated electricity dropped nearly 20 percent as a result of the current regulatory environment.

The EPA's recently proposed greenhouse gas standards for new coal- fired plants are only the latest example of the administration's regulatory assault on America's power sector. Not only do these standards rely on a technology that is not even commercially viable at this point, but they will also lead to the loss of thousands of jobs and drive up the price of energy for American families and businesses that are already struggling to make ends meet. Ohio alone stands to lose an estimated 18,000 manufacturing jobs by 2023 as a result of these overreaching regulations. More than 1,000 of these jobs will be in my district. These estimates do not even include job losses by coal miners, utility workers, and all of those impacted directly by plant closures.

Rising energy costs are one of the main problems facing many hardworking Americans. While we are all impacted by these rules, it is the most vulnerable citizens who, unfortunately, will be hit the hardest. It is the 387,000 Ohioans who are living well below the poverty line and who spend almost 30 percent of their incomes on energy costs that these standards will hurt the most. These standards are not just an attack on coal; they are an attack on those individuals who are having to choose between paying their electric bills and providing the basic necessities for their families.

The bill before us today offers a realistic alternative to the EPA's misguided and unachievable approach to regulating new and existing power plants. I applaud Representative Whitfield's efforts on this critical piece of legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.