Floor Statements

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, people across America are hurting because ObamaCare is destroying jobs. Thousands of residents from North Augusta to Blythewood in South Carolina's Second Congressional District have appealed for answers to the difficulties they are facing because of the government health care takeover. Kathleen Sebelius has failed.

Over the weekend, I heard from constituents who were applying for a second or third job because their current income will not cover the increased costs of health care. Others have shared stories of sticker shock because they pay three times more for the same coverage.

Concerns have been vindicated by the projections of job losses by the National Federation of Independent Business because of the health care takeover.

We must repeal and replace ObamaCare with a patient-centered plan that creates jobs, which has been long proposed by Congressman Dr. Tom Price, and puts personal health care decisions back into the people's hands.

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

Congratulations to First Lieutenant Hunter Wilson for completing his service this year in Afghanistan.

Mr. Speaker, the President has broken multiple promises to the American people. Constituents living in South Carolina's Second Congressional District have lost their coverage and access to doctors because of the President's health care takeover, which destroys jobs. And now citizens are seeing massive premium increases.

James from Lexington says:

My son got a letter from his employer informing him that

his health insurance would increase $179 per month, 52

percent more than he is presently paying. He is a plumber and

his wife works as a home health aide. Now their dream of home

ownership is highly unlikely.

Mary Cothran of Williston was tireless promoting limited government and advocating alternatives to ObamaCare. Congress should work together to replace it with reforms such as those introduced by Congressman Dr. Tom Price which have been ignored by the media, which is failing to fulfill its First Amendment opportunities.

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

Madam Speaker, constituents across South Carolina's Second Congressional District are hurting because of the President's failing government health care takeover. As millions of Americans continue to receive policy cancelations, it is increasingly clear that ObamaCare is destroying jobs.

Angela from Lexington writes:

ObamaCare has caused my son to lose his insurance that was

provided through his employer. They said they could not

afford the new requirements. My son finally got a job that

provided medical insurance, and then the President takes it

away. There's definitely something wrong here.

The President has broken multiple promises to the American people. As

premiums increase, insurance is lost, and patients lose access to their doctors, we must work together to continue to replace ObamaCare with positive plans, as long introduced by Congressman Dr. Tom Price.

Small businessowners such as the late J.W. Hendrix warned of Big Government abuses' denying young people opportunity to fulfill the American Dream.

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

Mr. Speaker, small business is the backbone of our economy. America's greatness is heavily dependent on small businesses' success in creating jobs.

In South Carolina, small businesses make up half of our economy. Sadly, these hardworking business owners have been suffering devastating setbacks due to the President's job-destroying policies. More recently, the failed implementation of ObamaCare has forced higher taxes and extensive regulations on these employers. This unfriendly business climate has prevented small business owners from expanding and creating jobs.

When traveling around South Carolina's Second Congressional District, I continuously hear from small businesses, local chambers of commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, and employees who are plagued with uncertainty. Smaller paychecks, inability to meet insurance requirements, and reduced hours are some of the concerns. Congress must work together to replace ObamaCare with commonsense solutions, as long proposed by Congressman Tom Price of Georgia.

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

Congratulations Connor Shaw, Jadeveon Clowney, Coach Steve Spurrier, and President Harris Pastides for the Gamecock victory Saturday.

Mr. Speaker, over 25 years ago, Congress legislated Yucca Mountain as our national repository for nuclear waste. Sadly, the President discontinued the project in 2009 solely for political reasons. On Monday, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission ordered the Department of Energy to proceed with the review process.

This administration has failed to produce a clear plan for storing spent nuclear fuel, putting the environment at risk. South Carolinians have paid $2 billion into the program for the fees to address spent nuclear waste. Yet because of the President's party politics, a facility does not exist.

Thankfully, the judicial system sided with the American people this week and demanded the Energy Department to stop collecting these fees until a path forward is created. Yucca Mountain is clearly environmentally safe and secure and should be completed.

This is great news for the Aiken-Barnwell community and other commercial reactor sites across the country. The President should abide by the law. America is a strong Nation because we are a Nation of laws.

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

I appreciate the community service of Bill and Anne West.

Mr. Speaker, the President has broken his promises to the American people. Because of the administration's strained interpretation of health care plans under ObamaCare, millions of families continue to receive policy cancelation notifications, destroying jobs.

Last week, the President made another unrealistic promise when he offered to provide a quick fix to this problem. At the same time, he threatened to veto the Keep Your Health Plan Act, bipartisan legislation that passed the House last week that allows him to legislatively follow through with his pledge.

Common sense tells us the President is putting politics over policy when it comes to implementing his signature health care takeover. His administration is out of touch with the struggles American families are experiencing as a result of this destruction and intrusion of our health care system. The best way for American families to experience relief from this law is for the President to work with House Republicans to repeal and replace it with sensible solutions.

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

I appreciate the dedicated personnel of the U.S. Naval Hospital of Naples, Italy.

Mr. Speaker, ObamaCare is a disaster. The President knows it; Congress knows it; and most importantly, the American people now know it.

The President claims to be working with Congress to stop the train wreck the ACA is waging on American families. Actions speak louder than words. It is time for him to engage with House Republicans to find a solution.

We must help Mary in Lexington, South Carolina, whose health care policy premium has already increased 275 percent since the beginning of this year; and Rebecca from Aiken, who will be forced to pay $600 more a month for the same coverage in January; and Alvin, an uninsured veteran also living in Aiken, who has tried to purchase insurance on the government health care Web site but can't afford it because the premium will be higher than his mortgage, utilities, and Internet combined.

This is absurd. For the sake of the middle class, we must replace ObamaCare with commonsense solutions that protect families, provide a safety net, and promote jobs.

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

Mr. Speaker, millions of Americans have received cancellation notices for their insurance policies as a result of ObamaCare's failed legislation. The Wall Street Journal anticipates this number to reach 10 million by January 1.

Citizens living in the Second District of South Carolina are experiencing the brunt of the administration's deception. Becky from West Columbia is shocked that her world-class cancer care is at risk. Frank from Lexington will be forced to buy new health insurance with higher premiums of 33 percent. Joe from Aiken has been notified that his wife will be removed from their current health care plan January 1. He writes:

The only problem is that now we have two premiums to pay,

two deductibles to meet, and an additional thing to worry

about while we are trying to raise kids and be responsible

adults.

These real-life problems are affecting all American families. We must stop the damage by passing the Keep Your Health Plan Act to assist families and promote jobs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. Our prayers are for the people in the Philippines for typhoon recovery.

Mr. Speaker, in 2009, as the President traveled across the country campaigning for his signature health care takeover, he promised every American family that:

If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your

doctor, period. If you like your health care plan, you will

be able to keep your health care plan, period. No one will

take it away, no matter what.

He repeatedly made this clear promise over 20 times.

As the failed rollout of ObamaCare continues, millions of Americans have received policy cancelations. It is sad that the President broke his promise to the American people. Last week, he was forced to say he was sorry for families who have lost their coverage.

This week, House Republicans will pass a bill that protects hardworking Americans from receiving coverage cancelations, losing access to doctors, or paying higher premiums because of ObamaCare's disastrous impacts. The American people don't need sorrow and pity. They deserve solutions promoting jobs.

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

Mr. Speaker, constituents living across South Carolina's Second Congressional District have communicated very sincere concerns about the implementation of ObamaCare.

Sarah from North Augusta writes:

People should not be punished because they grow old. One

day, we will all be in their shoes . . . It is preposterous

that the government will be the one to tell doctors what to

charge for their services and what services can be provided.

Justin from Columbia writes:

The full implementation of ObamaCare will be a disaster for

America and the American people. Not only is it a direct

assault on

our freedom, but it also puts the government in the middle of

our health care decisions; it increases costs, and it will

inevitably lead to a single-payer system.

As the rollout of ObamaCare continues to fail, Congress must act to address this problem now before it is too late and before every American family falls victim to this unworkable law which destroys jobs.

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

Mr. Speaker, The Augusta Chronicle lead editorial on Saturday hit the nail on the head, pointing out the real truths about the ObamaCare train wreck. Americans remember a ``soothing assurance from President Obama in 2009 when he was hawking his Affordable Care Act to the masses--if you like your health care plan, you can keep

your health care plan. Now tell that to the hundreds of thousands of Americans who already have received letters from health plans essentially telling them, You're on your own.''

As the failed rollout of ObamaCare continues, American families are beginning to see its disastrous impacts--and this is just the beginning. In the coming weeks, more reports will reveal their President's signature health care law will increase premium rates; force employers to cut back on workers' hours, destroying jobs; and terminate existing policies for needy families.

Congress must address this issue. The House has acted. The Senate must do the same to protect every American family from an unsustainable disaster.

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

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following remarks regarding my absence from votes which occurred on October 22, 2013. Due to a death in the family being Rita Miskewicz of Summerville, South Carolina, I was unable to make it to Washington. Listed below is how I would have voted if I had been present.

Roll No. 551--H.R.185, Paul Brown United States Courthouse, ``aye''; Roll No. 552--H.R. 3205, Promoting Adoption and Legal Guardianship for Children in Foster Care Act, ``aye''; Roll No. 553--On approving the journal, ``aye.''

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, last night I hosted a teletown hall with constituents across South Carolina's Second Congressional District. Apart from the vast majority calling for the President and Democrats in the Senate to negotiate with House Republicans to end the shutdown, an overwhelming number of constituents expressed concern about the administration's disastrous ObamaCare roll- out.

During its first week, 9.47 million Americans visited the government Web site, but only 36,000 were able to complete the enrollment due to glitches. Former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs has stated this is ``excruciatingly embarrassing for the White House,'' and he hopes ``they fire some people that were in charge of making sure this thing was supposed to work.''

Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has failed, spending hundreds of millions of dollars. House Republicans have warned that the unaffordable, unsustainable health care law is not ready. The President, himself, has admitted this by delaying key components. Congress must continue to work to replace it with a plan to preserve the doctor-patient relationship.

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