Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, last Tuesday, I hosted a town hall by telephone with constituents to hear their expectations for the President's State of the Union address. The overwhelming message was clear: we must repeal and replace the government health care takeover bill, which destroys jobs.

During the call, I spoke with Annette, a small business owner from Columbia who would like to expand her company and hire more employees. Unfortunately, because of the tax increases imposed by ObamaCare, Annette feels as though the government is single-handedly prohibiting her from creating new jobs.

Annette is not alone. Today, Federal employees received their February pay statements, and one dedicated employee showed me her premium had doubled, putting her family in crisis.

House Republicans have an alternative that repeals the unworkable health care law and replaces it with commonsense solutions that will not deter Annette and millions of other small business owners from creating jobs.

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

Madam Speaker, this evening, I am glad to hear the President will deliver the State of the Union address focused on optimism.

Optimism requires he changes his disastrous policies destroying jobs, as revealed by the record number of food stamp recipients. Each higher food stamp report uncovers job destruction. Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin has proven jobs are created by citizens keeping their own money. It is not the government's money. Dangerous deficits are unsustainable.

The President needs to repeal and replace the ObamaCare train wreck which destroys jobs. He should uncover the tragedy of the Benghazi murders and promote peace through strength to prevent further attacks. Reducing the military threatens American families with expanded terrorist safe havens. The IRS targeting of citizens should really be investigated. The NSA should be restricted and not spy on all Americans. The Department of Justice and FBI eavesdropping on media should be stopped, with reprimands for malfeasance.

The President can restore optimism if he and his advisers change course. Americans have seen the overreach of Big Government. Now we should work together for limited government and expanded freedom.

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

Mr. Speaker, earlier this month I unveiled my legislative priorities for 2014. I promised the people of Aiken and Barnwell Counties that I would continue to advocate on behalf of the missions at the Savannah River Site, a Department of Energy facility that has experienced several setbacks as a result of the administration's confused policies on clean nuclear energy.

On Friday, I hosted a roundtable conducted by talented staff members Ted Felder, Sarah Beaulieu, and Baker Elmore with Site contractors, community leaders, and locally elected officials to discuss a path forward. Having all parties in a central setting gave me the opportunity to hear their concerns, thoughts, and proposals for jobs. While many different priorities were discussed, everyone shares the same objective: ensure current and future missions remain intact with a dedicated workforce for environmental cleanup, nonproliferation compliance, and national security.

As the only Member of Congress who has worked at SRS, I am confident that as we all work together for these missions, our goal will be accomplished.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my concern about the proposed size of our Army. Our active Army should not be reduced to 420,000 personnel and our National Guard to 315,000 personnel as this represents a substantial risk to our national security policy. Within the Army, I am concerned about the restructuring of the Army Aviation force. This restructuring would represent a significant policy shift away from the Army's, ``Total Force Policy.'' It would also negatively impact Army National Guard aviation and the communities in which those units are based.

I fully understand that sequestration has caused the Army to make some very difficult decisions about their future force structure. I do not want to see a repeat of the 1990s when the active and reserve components fought one another for the limited resources available. However, that seems to be the path we are on and it in no way advances our national security. That is why; I begin by asking and imploring my colleagues in the House of Representatives to work together to find a solution to sequestration and repeal this misguided method of reducing spending. It is our

Constitutional duty to provide for the common defense and we should not be reducing spending by placing half of the cuts on the back of the Department of Defense when defense spending only represents 15.1 percent of the budget.

Following the Vietnam War, former Chief of Staff of the Army, General Creighton Abrams devised the Total Force Policy. This policy vested much of the Army's reserve combat power in the hands of the Army National Guard. The Army National Guard was meant to be a ``mirror image,'' of the active force to the extent possible and to provide strategic depth in times of conflict. Mirror imaging meant that the National Guard would be trained and fielded with the same equipment as the active Army and this proposed aviation restructuring veers away from the total force policy.

There are those that say that Army National Guard aviation currently is not a mirror image of the active force because the structure of units is different. Providing a mirror image of brigade structure is not the point, the National Guard is not resourced or intended to follow the active duty Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) structure. The mirror imaging is in smaller units such as battalions that permit the Army to have strategic depth in its forces so that in wartime, the active units do not have to bear the full brunt of the fight. Without the National Guard and strategic depth, these past 12 years of conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq would have broken our Army.

Divesting the Army National Guard of the Apache helicopter is a mistake. The active Army will have all of its attack and scout aviation power in the active force with no strategic depth and no reserve relief available if we find ourselves engaged in another major conflict. Enormous amounts of training dollars will be wasted. Years of aviation and combat experience will have been squandered.

Our National Guard Apache pilots are amongst the finest in the world. In my home state of South Carolina, the 1st of the 151st (1-151) attack reconnaissance battalion is one of the best attack battalions in the Army. There operational tempo is not as high as the active Army and it gives them a chance to train on critical skills that active duty simply does not have time for with the fight ongoing in Afghanistan. The 1- 151st recently began to train its pilots on how to land an Apache on a Navy ship. Prior to these pilots becoming qualified, the Army did not have one single Apache pilot currently qualified to perform deck landings. Now however, the pilots of the 1-151 are helping to train the rest of the Army on this difficult and important task.

In closing, the battle we have is with sequestration. The active and reserve components should not be fighting one another; we in Congress should be providing them the necessary resources they require. We need to resource the Army at a level that protects our national security and keeps our personnel levels at the necessary levels, and keeps our equipment in the reserve and active components modernized and ready.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, in a recent Washington Times op-ed, David Keene writes:

Lengthy unemployment benefits that actually encourage

people to drop out of the workforce and minimum-wage laws

that make it difficult for the young and poor to reach for

the first step on the ladder of success are, like the

rhetoric of progressive populists, attacks on the American

Dream.

The most recent jobs report provides no certainty that our economy is on its way to a full, healthy recovery. The unemployment rate continues to drop simply because people are discouraged and have given up the search for a job.

The American people are resilient, hardworking, and need limited government. The President and Washington Democrats continually support Big Government, which destroys jobs and undermines the ability of small businesses to grow.

House Republicans have a clear path forward to put the American people back to work. I urge the President and Senate Democrats to change course and support plans to create jobs.

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

Mr. Speaker, besides sticker shock, American families are beginning to realize that they were misled and that ObamaCare is not as great as advertised. Sheryl from Columbia says:

I realize the ACA is controversial, but it was billed as

something better than what the insurance companies were

offering to private parties. What we actually purchased is

very inferior to the high deductible policy I currently have

when out of network.

Edward from Chapin has made several attempts to enroll his family in the government health care insurance program since the beginning of October. Unfortunately, due to the faulty government-run Web site and the complicated nature of the law, he tried for 2 months to successfully enroll his 17-year-old daughter in a government health plan.

The government's role is to protect our fellow citizens, not make tasks such as enrolling in health care more expensive or difficult. ObamaCare must be repealed and replaced to create jobs and put health care decisions back in the hands of the American people.

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

Mr. Speaker, on Friday the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the weakest jobs report in 3 years. In the month of December, the economy only added a dismal 74,000 jobs, less than half those expected to be created. Sadly, more people lost hope and gave up the search for a job, causing the workforce participation rate to tumble to the lowest point in over three decades.

The President's policies are not working. For 5 years, while the President has focused on expanding the size of government, House Republicans have focused on job creation of the private sector.

We have passed dozens of bills that will create immediate jobs, reduce regulations to allow small businesses to begin hiring again, and reform our Tax Code so families will be able to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks.

Big Government destroys jobs and causes more economic uncertainty for families. I hope the President and Senate change course and begin working with us so we can help put the American people back to work.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to congratulate my Chief of Staff, Jonathan Day, and his wife Muffy, who serves as Chief of Staff for Congressman

John Campbell, upon the birth of their beautiful daughter. Valentina Lucille Day arrived into the world at 7:12 p.m. on Wednesday, Christmas Day, December 25, 2013, at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC. Weighing 6 pounds and measuring 19 inches long, Valentina is the first child for the happy couple. I look forward to watching her grow and have no doubt that her talented parents will be dedicated to her well-being and bright future.

I would also like to congratulate Valentina's grandparents, Wallace and Miriam Lewis of Miami, Florida, and Edward and Margaret Day of Conklin, New York. Congratulations to the entire Day and Lewis families as they welcome their newest edition of pure pride and joy!

Mr. Speaker, last October, a constituent living in Columbia received a frightening phone call from a gentleman in North Carolina. It appeared the constituent's security information was obtained by a stranger while enrolling for health insurance under the government health care Web site.

The American people should not have to worry about personal information being compromised due to the government's inability to keep a Web site secure. Had the gentleman from North Carolina not contacted this South Carolinian, he may have never realized his information was being breached.

ObamaCare is flawed and must be repealed. Because the President and Senate refuse to join us in these efforts, the House continues to act. Tomorrow, the House will vote on a bill that requires Health and Human Services to notify individuals when their personal information is stolen or unlawfully accessed.

We must continue to work to repeal ObamaCare by replacing it with a plan to preserve the doctor-patient relationship, as long proposed by Congressman Tom Price.

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

Mr. Speaker, in 2013, we witnessed the disastrous impacts of Big Government. From the administration's failed rollout of ObamaCare--destroying jobs--to the undermining of our national security by military sequestration, we know this harms our families, our economy, and our safety.

Last week, I had the opportunity to travel across South Carolina's Second Congressional District to unveil legislative priorities for 2014. My constituents shared my concerns that Congress must focus on legislation to create jobs through economic growth.

We must also reduce our spending so that our children and grandchildren will not be faced with the burden of out-of-control debt. Encouraging energy dependence through the completion of the Keystone XL pipeline will also create jobs at Michelin and MTU in South Carolina.

Additionally, promoting our brave men and women in uniform, military families, and veterans must remain at the top of our priority list. We must protect our heroes who risk their lives to protect us.

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

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the Armed Forces community lost a great friend and ally. Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel John Chapla was truly a Virginia gentleman of the Virginia Military Institute tradition. After serving our Nation in uniform for over 25 years, John continued his passion for public service as a professional staff member on the House Armed Services Committee, eventually becoming the lead staff member for the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

John possessed vast and remarkable wisdom of the military. He always sought to advocate for our brave men and women, their families, and our veterans. I had the privilege of working alongside him for 4 years as he coordinated the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Because of John's efforts, our wounded warriors, military families, and victims of sexual assault have substantial protections. There is no doubt that our country is a much safer place because of John Chapla's hard work and dedication.

My thoughts and prayers are with John's wife, Lee, his two daughters, and three granddaughters during this difficult time. He will be forever appreciated.

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

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, during last night's town hall by telephone with constituents, I conducted a poll and asked what should be done first to tackle our national debt. Fifty-one percent of participants want Congress to repeal ObamaCare. ObamaCare will add to our national debt as higher premiums and taxes are placing burdens on families and destroying jobs.

Rachel from West Columbia says:

ObamaCare is still very costly for me and my family. At

times we have difficulty purchasing food for our family

because of my insurance costs.

Robert from Aiken spent time on the Web site and found he ``would be paying about two-thirds more for a much worse insurance plan.''

2013 should be remembered as the year further revealing the failure and threat of Big Government, with the ObamaCare train wreck, continuing of the Benghazi cover-up, IRS targeting, NSA spying, and DOJ-FBI eavesdropping on media. Congress should act, passing limited government reforms that encourage job creation and expand freedom.

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

Thank you, Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith, for your leadership.

Mr. Speaker, the National Defense Authorization Act provides our warfighters, veterans, and military families the support they need, deserve, and have earned. Specifically, this year's legislation includes over 30 reforms related to combating criminal sexual assault in the military.

Reforms initiated by Congressman Mike Turner and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas include stripping commanders of their authority to dismiss a guilty finding; significantly limiting commanders' ability to modify court-martial sentences; establishing minimum sentences for sexual assault-related offenses; reforming the article 32 process to protect the victim.

Other provisions would reaffirm our commitment to the Reserves by requiring minimum notification before deployment; require the Secretary to improve the Integrated Disability Evaluation System; and reauthorize many special pays and bonuses for our servicemembers.

This bill does not include the administration's request for military retirees to pay more in fees.

From the beginning, the military personnel provisions have been a bipartisan process. I want to commend the ranking member, Congresswoman Susan Davis of California.

Additionally, I want to express an appreciation for the dedication of our subcommittee staff: John Chapla, who is truly a Virginia gentleman of the VMI tradition, along with Deborah Wada, Jeanette James, Craig Greene, Dave Giachetti, and Colin Bosse, along with Military Legislative Assistant Chad Sydnor and Military Fellow, Marine Master Sergeant Lee Duncan.

I urge my colleagues to support the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.