Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government has been shut down for 15 days. For 15 days, the President and Senate Democrats have made very few attempts to work with the House to reopen the government's doors. Washington Democrats have not been willing to meaningfully negotiate with House Republicans who voted four times to avoid the fiscal crisis.

Time is ticking. The people of South Carolina's Second Congressional District are hurting due to Washington Democrats' inability to engage in the legislative process. On behalf of the Savannah River Site employee in Aiken who is at risk of additional cuts to his hardworking paycheck, and the young family in Columbia who has been denied access to a medical trial that could potentially save their daughter's life, we should reopen the government, which promotes jobs.

House Republicans understand the risk at stake. That is why we support commonsense proposals that will avoid national default and reopen the government's doors.

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

Mr. Speaker, on January 14 of this year, the President spoke at a press conference, saying:

I think, if you look at the history, getting votes for the

debt ceiling is always difficult, and budgets in this town

are always difficult.

The Federal Government has been shut down for 2 weeks. The President of the United States has a job, and it is to govern. Because of his lack of leadership, American families are experiencing smaller paychecks, limited or no access to government services, and tremendous uncertainty surrounding their futures.

Although I am glad the President did finally engage in partial negotiations with House Republicans, I find it very disappointing that it took 10 days to do so, especially seeing as he believed our current challenges to be so ``difficult.''

Our country is headed down a path of insolvency, destroying jobs. Over the coming days, it is my hope the President will take his responsibilities of negotiation seriously and work with House Republicans to reduce spending and reopen the government's doors.

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

Thank you, Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, for yielding. I am very grateful for your leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, funding our national security interests within the Department of Energy must be a priority in order to protect every American family. Today, the House will pass an important measure that will fund the National Nuclear Security Administration. The NNSA will provide necessary resources that are critical and allow our country to continue operations for dozens of vital national security missions.

I am fortunate to represent the Department of Energy Savannah River Site in Aiken and Barnwell Counties, South Carolina. I especially appreciate its personnel, as the only Member of Congress who has actually worked at the site.

The passage of this bill is essential, as it will provide our dedicated workers who are handling these operations the security they need to complete their vital missions. Our Nation is a much safer place because of ongoing tritium operations and the mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility currently under construction at SRS. These missions are essential to our Nation's national security, as they allow us to service our nuclear stockpile and honor international nuclear obligations of nonproliferation.

Additionally, the Savannah River Site, which established victory in the Cold War, has thousands of committed employees working on Department of Energy environmental management projects. These professionals also provide crucial services to our country through their nuclear nonproliferation and environmental cleanup efforts.

Although I am encouraged by today's legislation, I remain hopeful that Congress can work together to provide necessary funding for these projects as well.

I appreciate Chairman Hal Rogers for bringing this bill to the floor today and urge all of my colleagues of both parties to vote in support of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, two Army Rangers, a nurse, and an Army criminal investigator were killed in action while defending our freedoms on Sunday. Because of a devastating decision made by the administration, the grieving families of American heroes Sergeant Patrick Hawkins, PFC Cody Patterson, 1st Lieutenant Jennifer Moreno, and Special Agent Joseph Peters are not receiving their loved ones' death gratuities.

Over a dozen more military families are also suffering due to the administration's actions and failure to negotiate. When Congress passed the Pay Our Troops Act last week, it was our intent to pay the pay and benefits our brave men and women have earned and deserve without question.

On Friday, I sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Hagel, demanding answers. Our brave men and women serving in uniform risk their lives to keep American families safe. I appreciate today, as a grateful military dad, that Congress will pass a bill restating benefits to our military families who have earned everlasting respect.

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

Thank you, Congressman Frelinghuysen. I am very grateful that my oldest son's in-laws are ably served in New Jersey by Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen.

Mr. Speaker, I stand today to express my shock at the administration's absolutely disgusting failure to keep faith with those who paid the ultimate price in the service of our country.

Today, four of our fallen have arrived at Dover Air Force Base, and the families in attendance will have had to pay their own way to be there for the arrival of their loved ones. This is a disgrace and an intentional policy to cause pain by this administration, whose actions are disrespectful of those who have made our freedoms possible.

Soon, we will vote to restate the critical death gratuities that we owe in no uncertain terms to the families of our fallen servicemembers to correct the injustice that has been thrust upon them.

I am particularly disappointed in the administration, as the son of a veteran, as a 31-year veteran myself, and as a grateful father of four sons currently serving in the military.

This Congress, in a bipartisan way, passed the Pay Our Military Act. It was signed into law for the express purpose of making sure that those who served in our Armed Forces in the defense of our freedom are paid all that they are owed. The administration already has the authority to pay this gratuity.

Every effort should be made to respect our servicemembers and military families. The administration is playing politics on the backs of the families of our fallen. This is unconscionable.

Today's vote will give us an opportunity to do our duty to take care of the families of our fallen servicemembers. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of this bill.

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, it has been 1 week since the government shutdown. For 1 week, the President and Senate Democrats have refused to negotiate to reopen the government's doors.

House Republicans know the hardships American families are facing due to Washington Democrats' failure to negotiate. We have worked over the past week, passing bills to have the government functioning.

House Republicans have voted to fund pediatric cancer research, reopen national parks, memorials and monuments, give veterans the benefits they have earned and deserve. On Saturday, House Republicans voted to pay 800,000 furloughed employees who are at risk of losing a paycheck due to the President's government shutdown.

With the debt ceiling limit looming, the American people are waiting for the President and Senate Democrats to negotiate a solution for fiscal responsibility.

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

Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago Friday, the President called Speaker Boehner out of the blue to announce he would not negotiate to avoid a shutdown. Since then, the President has made no plans to negotiate and has hosted one White House meeting to restate his position to not negotiate.

Clearly, this confirms the American people should look at the actions of all officials, not just words. Sadly, the President says he ``has bent over backwards to work with the Republicans,'' but this is not accurate. This continues his actions different from his words. In February 2009, the President announced the deficit was unsustainable, but then he tripled it.

House Republicans voted four times to avoid a shutdown. House Republicans were sincere in their actions and now vote repeatedly to save jobs and help families.

It is my hope there will be good-faith negotiations and we can come together to avoid the upcoming unsustainable fiscal crisis by ending the shutdown and addressing the debt limit.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 58) expressing the sense of Congress regarding the need for the continued availability of religious services to members of the Armed Forces and their families during a lapse in appropriations.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on the concurrent resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in strong support of the concurrent resolution offered by my colleague, Representative Doug Collins of Georgia, a dedicated chaplain and Iraq veteran of the United States Air Force Reserve. His resolution goes to the heart of our constitutionally guaranteed ability to worship without interference. I thank him for bringing it to the floor.

The resolution expresses the sense of Congress regarding the need for the continued availability of religious services to members of the Armed Forces and their families during a lapse of appropriations. As a grateful dad, with my wife, Roxanne, of four sons currently serving in the military, I know firsthand the importance of chaplains, such as Steve Shugart and Brian Bohlman.

Specifically, it addresses the issue this House became aware of yesterday--that religious services for military personnel are being curtailed, or not offered at all, because Federal civilian employees serving as chaplains, or personnel contracted to perform the duties of military chaplains, have been furloughed.

This is an extremely important issue for all of us to work together. There is no doubt that the furloughing of personnel hired or contracted to perform the duties of military chaplains is having an effect. Just in this region, church services, baptisms, weddings have been curtailed. For example, the Active Duty priest at the Navy Yard canceled mass there. He is needed at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling. It is a larger church and they don't have a priest there this weekend.

At Fort Belvoir, half of the masses have been canceled.

The impact is even more severe overseas, where options for worship are far more limited than in the United States.

What is more disturbing is that General Schedule Federal civilian and contractor chaplains are being told that if they do come to their jobs they will be trespassing. This is just not right.

The performance of religious services and the provision of ministry are protected activities under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. If the Department of the Interior can permit World War II veterans in performance of First Amendment activities to visit the memorial constructed to honor their service, then certainly the Secretary of Defense can permit similar First Amendment activities.

The Secretary can and must allow military chaplains and other personnel,

including contract personnel, hired to perform duties of a military chaplain to perform religious services and ministry in the same manner and to the same extent as such chaplains and other personnel are otherwise permitted to perform religious services and ministry when there is an appropriation. It is that simple.

So, Mr. Speaker, I urge the Secretary of Defense to do the simple thing, the right thing: allow all chaplains of the Armed Forces, be they military, Federal civilian employees or contractors, to minister unhindered to the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States.

I congratulate my colleague, Representative Doug Collins of Georgia, chaplain of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, for bringing this resolution to the floor and urge all Members to support it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Smith, I agree, on the Armed Services Committee--and I want to commend you--we work together in an extraordinary fashion. In fact, the National Defense Authorization Act has passed the House as an indication of your goodwill and good faith.

I believe the reason this has come up so quickly, of course, is because this was only learned late yesterday. The consequence of the thought of chaplains to be declared trespassing is inconceivable and it needs to be addressed.

Mr. Speaker, I want to, again, commend Mr. Smith. He, indeed, has reached across to try to work together. By referencing the shutdown in 1995, there is a difference, and it begins at the top.

Sadly, the President of the United States 2 weeks ago last night called to announce he was not going to negotiate. In the 1995 shutdown there was communication between the President and the Speaker prior to a shutdown and during the entire shutdown.

I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana, Dr. John Fleming, my friend and colleague.

I yield 2 minutes to the Congresswoman from Tennessee, Marsha Blackburn, my friend and colleague.

Mr. Smith, again, I appreciate your support of this, but it is important because, sadly, information has been provided that chaplains would be subject to trespassing charges. So this does, obviously, interfere with the ability of freedom of speech and religion and assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas, Mr. Tim Huelskamp, my friend and colleague.

Mr. Speaker, I yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from Georgia, Congressman Doug Collins, who is the sponsor of this resolution and a U.S. Air Force Reserve chaplain.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, a bipartisan group of the House passed two commonsense pieces of legislation: first, to provide resources for our Nation's veterans; and, second, to ensure that our men and women in uniform serving in the National Guard and Reserve are able to be compensated for their efforts.

We should all agree that legislation designed to protect our national security should be above partisan politics. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats have rejected the legislation. Additionally, the President has already threatened to veto these bills.

As a 31-year veteran of the National Guard, I hope, for the sake of our brave men and women in uniform and military families, that obstructionism will cease. It is now up to Washington Democrats to put politics aside, do the right thing, and protect our national security by promoting these bills.

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

Congratulations to our chaplain today, Senate Chaplain Barry Black, for recently being awarded a doctorate from his alma mater, the University of South Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, the President's failure to negotiate is unprecedented. Yesterday, he finally invited congressional leaders to meet at the White House, but no progress was made. The President, instead, issued an ultimatum, telling Congress that he is not willing to negotiate.

Our Nation is quickly approaching a deadline where we will no longer be able to pay our bills. This morning, I received a six-page memo from the Treasury Department outlining the disastrous impacts of defaulting.

Every American family knows the consequences of exceeding the maximum on our credit cards. Responsible Americans do not send white papers warning of a crisis; we find ways to reduce spending so we can spend within our means.

It's time for the President to take his responsibilities seriously. The only way to make progress is to sit down with congressional Republicans and find a commonsense solution.

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

Mr. Speaker, President John F. Kennedy once said, ``Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.''

House Republicans are willing to negotiate. House Republicans have been proactive in preventing a shutdown by passing four different pieces of legislation that keep the government functioning.

Unfortunately, the President and Senate Democrats have slammed the door and have refused to come to the table and negotiate until--just announced--tonight.

This sentiment is shared outside of Washington. Yesterday, I received a letter from a constituent saying:

Refusing to come to the table, Obama and Reid are counting

on the media lapdogs to blame Republicans. I understand that.

Washington is putting incredible pressure on the House to

cave, but the American people feel differently.

We are now on Day 2 of a government shutdown. It's past time for Washington Democrats to join House Republicans and work together to find a solution.

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, because of the lack of leadership from the President and Senate Democrats, our government is experiencing a shutdown. American families are faced with smaller paychecks, and the most vulnerable are being denied access to necessary government services.

The American people should look at the actions of officials, not words. The President never planned negotiations, and Senate Democrats left town during the crucial weekend of votes. Meanwhile, House Republicans have passed four different bills to keep the government functioning.

Our country deserves better than this kind of behavior from some elected officials. It is revealing that Washington Democrats have refused to sit down at the table, engage in dialogue, and negotiate a solution.

It is my hope that the Senate changes course and begins negotiating with a bipartisan group in the House who wants to put the well-being of American families over party politics.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. Happy sixth birthday, Emily Ruth Wilson of Naples, Italy.

Mr. Speaker, every day, I appreciate concerned constituents reaching out to me and expressing their very real experiences with the health care takeover.

Jennifer from Chapin says:

ObamaCare will put us out of business and make health

insurance unaffordable for our family.

Charlotte from Batesburg writes:

I do not feel our economy can afford ObamaCare. I am

retired, with a history of lung cancer, and my followup care

would be denied under this plan.

Terry from Aiken pleads:

Do whatever you can to stop this. It will be an oppression

of the people of this country both in terms of health care

and jobs.

Sarah from North Augusta has valid concerns for the Nation's future:

Our company has already spent time and money to be

compliant with the plan, but there are many ``what ifs.''

This cannot be a funded plan.

Melissa of nearby Greenwood is correct:

Free ticket, no show, putting people in need at risk.

I am grateful the House is making every effort to protect the American people from the unsustainable, unaffordable health care takeover law, which destroys jobs.

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