Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to recognize Melissa Chandler Murphy, deputy chief of staff and legislative director of South Carolina's Second Congressional District office. No words can express the amount of appreciation I have for Melissa for her service and compassion for the citizens of South Carolina. Melissa has served the Palmetto State with professionalism and integrity.

Nine years ago she began her career with the office as a legislative correspondent and quickly worked her way up because of her efficiency and exceptional leadership skills that she learned at Wofford College in Spartanburg. Melissa has served as a champion for constituents, going to great lengths to offer assistance to those in need.

On January 3, Melissa will begin a new chapter as she joins Congressman-elect Dave Rouzer as his chief of staff. The people of North Carolina's Seventh Congressional District are extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated woman working on their behalf with a Republican office for the first time since 1874.

With great happiness, I wish Melissa and her husband, Ryan, best wishes and continued success.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

I thank the gentleman from California, Chairman McKeon, for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, America appreciates Chairman Buck McKeon and his wife, Patricia, for their extraordinary dedicated service to promoting a strong military defense and the well-being of servicemembers and their military families. I wish them Godspeed for their future success. The chairman will be greatly missed.

As chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel--and I am very grateful that I have had the privilege of working with Ranking Member Susan Davis of California--I am grateful to have served with Chairman McKeon in drafting this bill.

Supporting our servicemembers and providing the necessary resources for our military families and veterans is the primary function of the Federal Government. With the hopeful passage today of the National Defense Authorization Act, we will help achieve this goal and ensure that our national security remains in tact.

Included in today's bill are provisions that the House and Senate have agreed upon that will help keep American families safe and make sure that our brave men and women in uniform are given the resources they have earned and deserve.

Included in today's bill are provisions that the House and Senate have agreed upon that will help keep American families safe and make sure that our brave men and women in uniform are given the resources they have earned and deserve.

Key provisions:

Awards the Purple Heart to members of the Armed Forces like those at Fort Hood who were wounded or killed in domestic terrorist attacks on our home soil; mandates new criminal sexual assault reforms to prevent future crimes from occurring and offers support to victims in need; additional behavioral and psychological health programs will be made available to address and prevent military suicides; a bipartisan prohibition on the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States and prevents construction of terrorist detention facilities at home; and supports operations to support peace in the Middle East by supporting our allies in the region. In the future, we will work to enhance pay benefits and commissary proposals.

As a 31-year veteran of the Army National Guard, I am pleased that Congressman Bill Enyart of Illinois and I were able to support the National Guard's readiness and capabilities by preventing the transfer of any Apache helicopters in the coming year. Apart from assisting the States when disaster strikes, the National Guard serves as the combat reserve force for our Active Duty Army and Air Force. Their accomplishments are crucial for the security of our country.

Mr. Speaker, on Sunday both the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security issued warnings to American military personnel regarding possible attacks by ISIL here at home. Sadly, this comes after Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson incorrectly announced in New York on September 14, ``At present we have no credible information that ISIS is planning to attack the homeland of the United States.'' The Secretary was wrong on the attacks, and equally, he has been wrong on the unconstitutional review of illegal aliens, which destroys jobs.

I appreciate yesterday national radio talk show host Kim Komando, the Digital Pro, who restated the FBI and DHS warnings of ISIS threats here in America to military families. She is a dedicated friend of the military.

The President should identify and stop the grotesque threats to conduct mass murder of American military families on U.S. soil.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and the President should take action to never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Our sympathy to the family of Captain William H. DuBois of Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, the President's illegal alien amnesty plan is unconstitutional and destroys American jobs.

According to a recent article in The Washington Times:

President Obama's temporary amnesty, which lasts 3 years,

declares up to 5 million illegal immigrants to be lawfully in

the country and eligible for work permits, but it still deems

them ineligible for public benefits such as buying insurance

on Obamacare's health exchanges. Under the Affordable Care

Act, that means businesses who hire them won't have to pay a

penalty for not providing them health coverage, making them

$3,000 more attractive than a similar native-born worker,

whom the business by law would have to cover.

This gives a disadvantage to legal Americans and citizens and also legal immigrants who deserve a job. Sadly, we are seeing yet another example of how the President has pushed failed policies instead of working with House Republicans to help American families find jobs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and the President should take actions, never forgetting September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the forceful warnings of South Carolina senior Senator Lindsey Graham about the President's negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.

Senator Graham has stated that the administration ``needs to understand that this Iranian regime cares more about trying to weaken America and push us out of the Middle East than cooperating with us. Until we recognize that reality and formulate a regional strategy to counter the Iranian regime's malign influence, we will continue to harm U.S. national security interests.''

The Iranians have not earned the right to be trusted. Despite years of their misleading nuclear inspectors and ignoring international calls to suspend enrichment while developing ballistic missiles, incredibly, the administration continues to acquiesce to a dangerous deal.

Senator Graham has been a Paul Revere--warning of regional threats, holding the President accountable for his national security mistakes. He promotes congressional approval on any deal reached with Iran. Together, sanctions should be promoted which will stop further nuclear blackmail and promote the safety of Israel and our regional allies.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and the President should take action to never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, November 11th marks the 90th anniversary of the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA). On this day, we should not only honor our veterans for their service and sacrifice, but also honor the FRA for their unwavering commitment to support the needs of our active duty, Reserves, and retired military members, veterans and family members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Founded by Navy Chief Yeoman George L. Carlin and chartered in 1924, the FRA is one of the oldest and largest enlisted organizations and a founding member of The Military Coalition. Its mission has been to serve as the premier ``watch dog'' group in maintaining and improving the quality of life for Sea Service personnel and their families.

As a veteran myself, I wish to express my immense gratitude for the hard work and dedication of the Fleet Reserve Association and their outgoing National President, Mr. Virgil P. Courneya and incoming National President, Mr. John Ippert.

Consistent with their motto, ``loyalty, protection and service'', for nearly nine decades, commitment to their members resulted in legislation enhancing quality of life programs while protecting rights and privileges.

Mr. Speaker, in yesterday's Charleston Post and Courier, Charles Krauthammer points out the President's deceit when misrepresenting ObamaCare before shoving it through a Democratic Congress.

According to the column, an ``October 2013 video has surfaced that shows MIT Professor Jonathan Gruber, a principal architect of ObamaCare, admitting that, in order to get it passed, the law was made deliberately obscure and deceptive. It constitutes the ultimate vindication of the charge that ObamaCare was sold on a pack of lies.''

As more is revealed about the truth behind the President's manipulation when passing ObamaCare, ``It's refreshing that `the most transparent administration in history' . . . should finally display candor about its signature act of social change. Inadvertently, of course. But now we know what lay behind Obama's smooth . . . arrogance . . . that rules in the name of the citizenry it mocks, disdains, and deliberately, contemptuously deceives.''

It is sad Democratic elitists believe their voters are stupid.

In conclusion, God bless our troops. The President should take action to never forget September the 11th and the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, Betty Francis Dent died on Monday, November 10, 2014, at the age of 82. Funeral services will be held at Shortess Chapel on November 15, 2014, in Columbia, South Carolina. Betty Dent was a member of the board of trustees for both Columbia International University for 14 years and Ben Lippen School for seven years. Mrs. Dent was the wife of the late, Harry Shuler Dent, Sr., the legendary visionary who helped establish a two-party system in South Carolina producing a Republican majority.

Her obituary, published on Columbia International University's website contained this tribute:

Betty Francis Dent

Betty Dent, a former member of the Columbia International

University Board of Trustees and a longtime supporter of CIU,

passed away in West Columbia, South Carolina on Nov. 10. She

was 82.

Betty supported her husband, the late Harry Dent Sr. as he

served in numerous leadership positions in state and federal

government, including service in the White House under

President Richard Nixon and as an advisor to Presidents Jerry

Ford and George H.W. Bush.

In the mid-1970s, Betty served on the S.C. Mental Health

Advisory Board and was recognized as one of the Ten Most

Outstanding Women in Columbia.

Betty and Harry served together in ministry, founding Laity

Alive and Serving in 1985, through which they coordinated

mission trips around the world, especially to Romania. Betty

also coordinated Market Place Bible Studies and assisted

Harry when he was chairman of the Billy Graham Crusade in

Columbia. In 1992, Betty and Harry wrote ``Right Versus

Wrong: Solutions to the American Nightmare,'' detailing

stories of their upbringing in dysfunctional and alcoholic

homes.

Betty Dent's memorial service will be celebrated on

Saturday, Nov. 15 at 3:30 p.m. at the place she loved most:

Columbia International University. Visitation will begin at

2:00. Both the visitation and memorial service will be in

Shortess Chapel.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, November 3, 2014, funeral services for Bobby Earl (Robin) Hudson, Jr., were held at Lexington Baptist Church, in Lexington, South Carolina. Mr. Hudson, 60, was the founder and owner of Hudson's Smokehouse in Lexington, South Carolina, and is remembered as a kind and generous gentleman of character who dedicated himself to supporting the local civic groups and his fellow citizens.

His obituary in The Lexington County Chronicle of Lexington, South Carolina, contained this tribute:

Bobby Earl (Robin) Hudson, Jr.

Lexington.--Robin Hudson, age 60, died on Thursday, October

30, 2014. Born August 16, 1954 in San Marcos, Texas, Robin

was the son of Bobby Earl (Bob) Hudson and Stella H. Kyzer.

He moved back to South Carolina in 1958. Robin graduated from

Airport High School in 1972 and attended Massey Fashion

Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. Shortly thereafter Robin moved

to Clemson, South Carolina, and opened up a successful

Foosball Parlor/Bar Business. This would prove to be his

initial first step into business ownership. From there he

went to work for Explorer Van Sales, where he served as the

Southeastern Sales Representative. After many successful

years with Explorer he went on to open his own Van Business

in Columbia, which was known as Buddy Baker Boat and Van

World. He later joined his brothers, Darrell and Chuck,

opening up Hudson Brothers Truck Accessory Center where he

headed up the Truck Accessory Department. Along the way he

began cooking BBQ using the recipe from his family heritage

back in Warsaw, North Carolina. He began catering on the side

and eventually bought a trailer and did mobile catering. From

then he went on to open what we all know and love today,

Hudson's Smokehouse in 2002, with the help of his wife,

Barbara and sons, Clint and Clay. Robin was a creative genius

in marketing and he made Hudson's Smokehouse what it is

today. He is known for his dependability, his enormous heart

and strong work ethic. Robin worked tireless, endless hours

to serve the community with whatever need they had. It was

truly his heart's desire to serve others.

In addition to his successful restaurant business, he was a

beloved son, admired brother, loving husband and devoted

father. Robin is survived by his wife, Barbara Kice Hudson,

and 4 children, Clinton Garrett Hudson, Clayton Windham

Hudson, Jessica Lauren Brown Hudson and Cody Arthur Hudson;

father, Bobby Earl (Bob) Hudson and his wife Laura Slade

Hudson; mother, Stella H. Kyzer; brothers, Darrell Craig

Hudson and his wife, Gay Jewell Hudson, Charles Alan Hudson

and his wife, Cindy Momand Hudson; sister, Melinda Hudson

Dailey and her husband Gregory Scott Dailey. Robin is also

survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and

many, many dear friends who will all miss him terribly.

A Drop-in Celebration was held at 5 p.m., Sunday, November

2, 2014 at Hudson's Smokehouse, 4948 Sunset Blvd., Lexington,

SC. A memorial service was held at noon on Monday, November

3, 2014 at Lexington Baptist Church, 308 E. Main Street,

Lexington, SC. The service was officiated by Pastor Mike

Turner and longtime friend, Pastor R. V. Brown.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may

be made to Habitat for Humanity, 209 S Sumter Street,

Columbia, SC 29201, and/or Oliver Gospel Mission, 1100 Taylor

Street, Columbia, SC 29202.

Mr. Speaker, on October 2, the President promised, ``I'm not on the ballot this fall, but my policies are on the ballot.''

Clearly, America, which is not stupid, voted last Tuesday to stop his policies, which destroy jobs at home and weaken national defense abroad.

On Sunday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution lead editorial explained, ``The electorate took a peach tree switch to the donkey's hindquarters,'' resulting in Georgia and South Carolina achieving returning Republican victories for all statewide and Federal offices for the first time in 136 years.

Failed policies should stop and together we should work for positive change, such as opening Yucca Mountain to reduce the environmental risk of nuclear waste. The Boston Globe editorialized, ``Resume funding the Yucca Mountain project,'' and ``Democrats should recognize that.''

Additionally, the Keystone pipeline should be completed to promote energy independence with hundreds of permanent jobs in my home communities with Michelin of Lexington and MTU of Graniteville.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and the President should take action to never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize America's credit unions on reaching an historic milestone of achieving 100 million members nationwide. Credit unions are liked by their members for the quality service and financial education they offer. That is why one in three Americans have proudly united themselves with the common values and principles of credit union membership.

South Carolina is especially appreciative of credit unions as Ed Templeton, President and CEO of SRP Federal Credit Union of North Augusta, South Carolina, recently became the new chairman of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU).

Since America's first credit union opened its doors in Manchester, N.H. in 1908, millions have made the choice to become credit union members. Credit Unions help unite communities. It is likely you can join a credit union if you live, work, or worship in a particular area. Membership can be obtained through employers, families, school or alumni associations, industry or trade groups, and even homeowners' associations.

As a credit union member myself, I stand proudly in congratulating the more than seventy South Carolina credit unions and approximately 1.4 million citizen-members on this historic achievement. When 100 million Americans have united as credit union members, each one knows he or she is in good company.

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following remarks regarding my absence from votes which occurred on September 15, 2014. Listed below is how I would have voted if I had been present.

Roll Number 497--H.R. 5018--To establish the Law School Clinic Certification Program of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and for other purposes--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--aye.

Mr. Speaker, in last week's Washington Post, columnist Charles Krauthammer analyzed the President's plan to defeat ISIL:

``Beyond the strategy's halfhearted substance is the author's halfhearted tone. Obama's reluctance and ambivalence are obvious. This is a man driven to give this speech by public opinion. It shifted radically with the televised beheading of two Americans. Every poll shows that Americans overwhelmingly want something to be done--and someone to lead the doing.''

ISIL's conquest in Iraq and Syria is a consequence of the administration's failed policies that do not achieve peace through strength. The President ignored evidence of increasing terrorist safe havens across North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, as the southern border is now porous.

The United States must effectively defeat ISIL to stop attacks on American families. I hope the President shows real leadership and takes effective action to achieve victory over those who vow mass murder of American families.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and the President should take action remembering September 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, last month's jobs report revealed the worst numbers of the year. Millions of Americans are continuing to drop out of the workforce, destroying opportunity. A clear symbol of the President's failure is that 14 million more people are forced to depend on food stamps than when the President took office.

The State's recent article explains families are hurting as a result of the President's failed job policies.

Harvest Hope Food Bank is serving an unexpected increase of needy families. CEO Denise Holland says: ``Every morning when we open up, the lines are waiting for us all the way to the road. The people who are suffering from hunger have not seen an improvement in their financial condition yet.''

House Republicans have passed over 40 job-creation solutions which are blocked in the Senate. The President should change course so we can, together, work for job opportunities.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and the President's actions should be based on remembering September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

My sympathy to Mayor Rita Crapps and the families of Batesburg- Leesville.

Mr. Speaker, the United States should not negotiate with terrorists. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle agree, which is why we have passed laws requiring the President notify us if he wishes to change effective foreign policy. Sadly, when the President unilaterally organized a prisoner swap with the Taliban for the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, he broke the law, disregarded the Constitution, and placed all American families at risk.

A recent GAO report details the extent of which the President ignored current law and disregarded Congress in his decision-making. In addition to violating the thirty-day rule, funding was used that was not available to complete the transfer, which violates the Antideficiency Act

The five members of the Taliban whom the President released and effectively pardoned from Guantanamo Bay are ``high risk'' and dangerous with extensive ties to al Qaeda. These terrorists have the blood of innocent civilians by the 9/11 attacks and American soldiers on their hands and are fixated on destroying our freedoms. Immediately upon their release, members of the Taliban praised this ``big victory'' as the first time the ``enemy officially recognized our status.'' One Taliban leader went as far to say that the return of one prisoner was ``like pouring 10,000 Taliban fighters into the battle on the side of jihad. Now the Taliban have the right lion to lead them in the final moment before victory in Afghanistan.'' These detainees are sure to relocate to Afghanistan and resume launching attacks against the United States and our Allies. At a time when our brave men and woman are still fighting the Global War on Terrorism in Afghanistan, this decision further places our heroes in harms way.

This administration has a history of ignoring our laws in order to achieve its own agenda. According to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, these negotiations did not happen overnight, but were in the works for months. The reason why the President did not notify Congress thirty days before giving the go-ahead to release and pardon five jihadists as required by law is because he did not feel it was necessary. It's time to put a stop to this irresponsible behavior and hold the President accountable. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution that condemns and disapproves of the President's unlawful actions, which have placed American families at risk here at home and abroad.