Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, last night, House Speaker John Boehner released a statement outlining his many objectives for the new year, stating:

Now the focus turns to spending. The American people

reelected a Republican majority in the House, and we will use

that in 2013 to hold the President accountable for the

`balanced' approach he promised, meaning significant spending

cuts and reforms to the entitlement programs that are driving

our country deeper and deeper into debt.

Our national debt has grown to an outrageous $16 trillion. This not only endangers our national security, but senior citizens are threatened with devalued dollars and it also places our children, grandchildren, and future generations at risk of higher taxes with little to no access to the entitlement programs to which they have faithfully contributed. House Republicans understand and are dedicated to resolving our Nation's debt crisis over the next year by reforming our Tax Code, preserving and protecting our entitlement programs, and controlling our spending.

Congratulations to Coach Steve Spurrier, President Harris Pastides and his wonderful wife, Patricia Pastides, and the USC Gamecocks, as well as Coach Dabo Swinney and President Jim Barker and his dedicated wife, Marcia Barker, and the Clemson Tigers for extraordinary Bowl victories.

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

Madam Speaker, at midnight tonight, our Nation is scheduled to fall off the fiscal cliff, because the Augusta Chronicle editorial of December 2 is correct:

It's that stubborn adherence to big spending that's

powering the momentum toward the fiscal cliff. And halting

big spending is what's going to stop it.

Over the past year, House Republicans have passed effective bipartisan legislation to prevent the entire fiscal cliff. Unfortunately, these bills remain stalled in the Senate graveyard. This fact makes it very clear that House Republicans have addressed this issue, and Speaker John Boehner is holding firm for fiscal responsibility.

With only a few hours to go, it's my hope the Senate will accept one of the House proposals and send legislation back to the House, which will attempt to tackle Washington's out-of-control spending, extend tax cuts for all Americans, and prevent the devastating defense budget cuts before it is too late and hundreds of thousands of jobs are destroyed.

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

Congratulations, Jay Pierson, for your years of service.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to recognize Eric Dell, chief of staff for the Second District of South Carolina. Eric has accepted to serve as senior vice president for the National Automatic Merchandising Association. This is a tremendous vote of confidence in his competence, dedication, and integrity.

There are no words to express the amount of appreciation I have had for Eric and for his service to South Carolina's Second Congressional District over the last 11 years. Throughout my years in public service, whether it be deciding to run for office, serving in the South Carolina Senate, or representing constituents in Congress, I can always count on Eric to offer his support to me, my family, or any constituent in need. He is devoted to serving the people of South Carolina.

It is with mixed feelings but with great happiness that I bid Eric farewell. He and his wife, Torry, will always be cherished by me and my wife, Roxanne, and our sons for their friendship. Godspeed.

Happy anniversary to my wife, Roxanne--the love of my life--whom I married 35 years ago this moment at Columbia's First Presbyterian Church in a ceremony conducted by the Reverend Dr. Hugh McClure.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Mr. Jay Pierson, Floor Assistant with the Office of the Speaker, on his retirement from over 34 years of dedicated service in the House of Representatives.

Jay has been an exemplary public servant who has demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism on a daily basis. His career in public service has been a testament to the importance of unselfish devotion.

I know firsthand of Jay's professionalism from my first day of advising on protocol, and he is always cheerful while providing counsel on proper parliamentary procedure.

As Jay embarks on a new chapter in life, it is my hope that he may recall with a deep sense of pride and accomplishment the outstanding contributions he has made to the United States House of Representatives and the people of the United States of America.

I would like to send Jay my best wishes for continued success in his future endeavors, and may his life be filled with health and happiness.

Mr. Speaker, today, the House will vote on the National Defense Authorization Act for 2013. Congratulations to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon and committee staff director Bob Simmons for their leadership with this legislation promoting peace through strength.

Our brave men and women in uniform, their families, and our veterans have earned the support and care they deserve by dedicating their lives to keep American families safe. The passage of today's bill will provide for a 1.7 percent troop pay increase, controlled copay rate increases for TRICARE beneficiaries, and institute new procedures and regulations to combat and prosecute sexual assault within the military.

It is my hope that this legislation will pass the House overwhelmingly this evening, receive full support in the Senate, and promptly arrive on the President's desk for his signature. Our national security depends on it.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your successful leadership of peace through strength.

The conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act provides our warfighters, veterans, and military families the care and support they deserve and have earned. Specifically, the conference report will authorize a true pay increase of 1.7 percent, limit end- strength reductions for the active Army and Marine Corps, provide significant new regulations and procedures for combating sexual assault, extend access to family housing and commissary-exchange benefits for troops who are involuntarily separated, and control the rate of co-pay increases for TRICARE.

From the beginning, the military personnel provisions have resulted from a bipartisan process. I want to thank subcommittee ranking member, Congresswoman Susan Davis, for her contributions. Additionally, I appreciate the dedication of the staff: John Chapla, Debra Wada, Jeanette James, Craig Greene, and Jim Weiss, along with military legislative assistant Chad Sydnor and military Fellow, Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Michelle King. I also want to note the contributions of Michael Higgins, who is a retiring subcommittee staffer and true professional who has devoted 23 years of service to the committee after severing 20 years in the Air Force. Mike has made a positive difference on behalf of servicemembers, military families, and veterans.

I urge my colleagues to support the conference report.

Mr. Speaker, the following is my statement in its entirety: Thank you Mr. Chairman for your successful leadership for peace through strength. The Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act provides our war fighters, veterans and military families the care and support they deserve and have earned; additionally ensuring that proposed drawdown plans do not cut to the heart of the Army and Marine Corps. Specifically, the conference report will:

Authorize a troop pay increase of 1.7% and extend bonuses and special pay for our service members; limit end strength reductions for the active Army and Marine Corps; provide significant new regulations and procedures for combating and prosecuting sexual assault within the military; extend access to family housing for six months and Commissary and Exchange benefits for two years for troops who are involuntarily separated; and control the rate of co-pay increases for the Tricare, pharmacy benefit.

From the beginning, the military personnel provisions in the Fiscal Year 2013 Defense Authorization Act have resulted from a bipartisan process. I want to thank the subcommittee Ranking Member, Congresswoman Susan Davis for her contributions and support in this process.

Additionally, I appreciate the dedication of the Subcommittee staff: John Chapla, Debra Walda, Jeanette James, Craig Greene, and Jim Weiss along with Military Legislative Assistant Chad Sydnor and Military Fellow, Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Michelle King.

I also want to note the contributions of Michael Higgins, a retiring subcommittee staffer and true professional, who has devoted 23 years of service to the committee, after serving 20 years in the Air Force. Mike will be retiring soon and this conference report will be his last one. Mike has made a positive difference on behalf of service members, military families and veterans.

I urge my colleagues to support the conference report on the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act.

Madam Speaker, with the negotiations surrounding the fiscal cliff, the administration is ignoring sequestration. This important issue must be addressed which devastates national security and destroys 700,000 jobs.

In addition, I am grateful for the opportunity to offer a fond farewell to two hardworking staffers, Ryann DuRant, office scheduler, and Master Gunnery Sergeant Michelle King, military Fellow of the United States Marine Corps. Both women have served with dedication to the people of South Carolina's Second Congressional District. Michelle is relocating to the Pentagon where she will work with the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. Ryann is taking a legislative correspondent and press assistant position with her new hometown representative of Myrtle Beach, Congressman-elect Tom Rice. Their competence, hard work, and good humor will be missed. We wish them all the best of success in the future.

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

Mr. Speaker, last Friday's massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, was heartbreaking. Americans are devastated as reports emerge detailing how a deranged individual murdered 20 innocent children, six heroic faculty members, and his mother before turning the gun on himself.

As a husband to a former schoolteacher, a father, a grandfather, and an American, my thoughts and prayers are with the teachers, families, children, and first responders involved in last Friday's school shooting. Our hearts go out to the Newtown community as we mourn.

This kind of senseless, horrific violence has no place in American society. As elected officials, it's our responsibility to make sure work is done to prevent these types of devastating events from ever happening again.

I appreciate the Rotary Club of Newtown for its efforts to assist the victims of the Sandy Hook school tragedy, their families, and those in the Newtown community who have been affected.

Mr. Speaker, as the senior Republican member of the delegation from South Carolina, it's my honor, on behalf of my colleagues, Congressman Mulvaney, Congressman Duncan, and Congressman Trey Gowdy, to be here to recognize--and I will be recognizing the senior member of the other party in just one second. I'm very grateful to be here this afternoon to give recognition to a person whom we have the highest regard for, the former chairman of the county council of my birthplace of Charleston, a former member of the statehouse, a distinguished Member of the House of Representatives, and now the next U.S. Senator from South Carolina.

I now defer, before he has comment, to the senior member of our delegation, Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, during his campaign for re-election, the President called for a balanced approach to solve the fiscal cliff crisis. Unfortunately, the plan his administration submitted to Congress does not include the spending cuts necessary to address our Nation's $16 trillion national debt.

According to Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Jeff Sessions' staff's calculation of data from the Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget, the President's plan suggests that roughly 75 percent, or $1.2 trillion, in new revenue be directed to new spending instead of deficit reduction.

The fiscal cliff must be averted to protect our economy for future generations. Yesterday, House Speaker John Boehner asked the President to identify specific cuts he is willing to make for a balanced approach. I hope the President will take immediate action so progress can be made for a bipartisan solution.

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

Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, the President and House Speaker Boehner met to discuss the impending fiscal cliff. The next

day, the President jetted off to Michigan to campaign for tax increases, instead of staying in Washington to work on a possible plan.

With a national debt of over $16 trillion, Washington's out-of- control spending is placing our national security at risk. Clearly, spending is the threat, with an increase of 93.5 percent over 10 years and revenues increased only 15.7 percent. Raising taxes on the American economy will destroy jobs.

Reports have indicated that raising taxes on the top 2 percent will generate up to $80 billion a year. This amount of money covers less than 10 percent of our Nation's annual deficits. It's my hope that the President will address the fiscal cliff to work with House Republicans to promote small business job growth.

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Speaker Boehner sent a letter to the President in response to his unreasonable proposal suggesting how Congress can avert the fiscal cliff. Shortly after the election, the House Republican leadership presented the President with a balanced framework by coupling spending cuts and reforms.

The Speaker's letter to the President also states, ``Regrettably, the proposal outlined on behalf of your administration contains very little in the way of common ground. The proposal calls for $1.6 trillion in new tax revenue--twice the amount you supported during the campaign.''

House Republicans understand the necessity of finding a reasonable solution. We have made it very clear that we are willing to work with the Senate leadership to find middle ground legislation. It is my hope the President will begin taking these negotiations seriously and will work with the House Republicans to find a balanced approach to this challenge.

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

Mr. Speaker, over the next 29 days, the President has a huge responsibility to work together with Congress and find a solution to avert the fiscal cliff. With over $16 trillion in debt, our Nation is at a crossroads. We must rein in our out-of-control spending by addressing entitlement reform, a driving force that is jeopardizing our long-term fiscal security.

According to a recent blog post from The Heritage Foundation:

Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are on auto pilot.

It's not even subject to the regular budget process. Spending

on just those three programs will jump from 10.4 percent of

gross domestic product (GDP) in 2012 to 18.2 percent in 2048,

meaning it will require every single cent of Federal taxes

collected.

Because of this fact, we must reform entitlement programs to protect current participants and to ensure that future generations will benefit, rather than inherit more debt caused by out-of-control spending. It is my hope that the President will reconsider his recent proposal and work with Republicans to save America's entitlement systems, which are a vital safety net.

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

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, Colonel Peter J. Brooks wore the United States Army uniform for the very last time. After over 32 years of dedicated service to our nation, Pete has retired from our Armed Forces and will serve his last day with the South Carolina National Guard on December 31, 2012.

Colonel Brooks began his military service in September 1979, when he entered the Army ROTC/SMP at Valley Forge Military College in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Following graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Armor branch in June 1981. Pete studied at the University of South Carolina for several years before attending officer basic course. In 1986, Colonel Brooks graduated from the University of New York where he studied political science and received a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts.

Since 1995, Colonel Brooks has worked in the public affairs department of the South Carolina National Guard and the Military Department of South Carolina. Due to his superb knowledge, he has more recently served as a senior advisor to the director of public affairs and strategic communications. Pete always worked extremely hard on behalf of the SCNG and has developed great working relationships with Congressional leaders and staffers, resulting in tremendous legislative support for the Soldiers and Airmen serving in the South Carolina National Guard. He also has served as a former president to the National Guard Association of South Carolina. Additionally, under Colonel Brooks' mentorship, the SCNG public affairs professionals earned awards from many different organizations including the National Guard Bureau, Air Force, Army, and Department of Defense. In 2009, due to Colonel Brooks' expertise, NORTHCOM/ARNOTH requested him by-name to support their communications programs.

Colonel Brooks also has worked with the University of South Carolina to develop a Media & the Military course in the university's School of Journalism and Mass Communications. This graduate-level course has helped approximately 100 recent graduates enter the public relations and journalism career fields with a level of understanding of military operations that very few students ever achieve. Additionally, Colonel Brooks and his team of public affairs professionals, all of who have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan in recent years, served as guest lecturers and mentors for the students.

As a 31 year veteran of the South Carolina Army National Guard and with three sons currently serving in the Army National Guard, I am truly grateful of Colonel Pete Brooks and his selfless service to the United States Army. I wish him and his wife Laurie the best in the future and look forward to working with him throughout the Midlands community.

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to congratulate Jacqueline and Jon Ferko on the birth of their daughter, Grace Sophia Ferko. Grace arrived yesterday, November 29, 2012, at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, DC, at 3:16 pm.

Grace Sophia Ferko is 8 pounds and 8.3 ounces of pride and joy to her loving family. I am so excited for this new blessing to the Ferko family and wish them all the best.