Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, in last Wednesday's The Post and Courier, a retired Foreign Service officer wrote a letter with questions regarding the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya. Retired Foreign Service Officer William Boudreau worked in the State Department Operations Center, which serves as a direct line of communications to all American missions.

Based on his service, Boudreau is confident that alerts from Benghazi were delivered to the White House during the attack. Boudreau believes the following questions must be explained:

Why the delay in labeling the attack as terrorism? Given prior threats, why did security personnel allow Ambassador Stevens to proceed to Benghazi? Why did the State Department refuse requests to enhance security? The American people deserve answers to these questions.

Additionally, I appreciate the service of Marty Johnson in promoting Snowball Express and on its success in reaching out to the children who have suffered the loss of a parent serving in our Armed Forces since September 11.

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, The State newspaper reported that the University of South Carolina's Army ROTC program has been named one of the fastest growing programs in the country. Since the 2005 school year, the ROTC program has tripled in enrollment, placing it third in the Nation.

ROTC inspires leadership skills for bright young men and women, which promotes extraordinary opportunities for service. As a proud father of four sons currently serving in the military--three are Army ROTC graduates, including myself--I know firsthand how the knowledge learned through military service will positively promote a fulfilling life. I am very grateful for the dedication the instructors and cadets of the ROTC program have shown to our country and look forward to hearing of the program's great 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, yesterday, members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, heard testimony regarding the terrorist attack on our United States consulate in Benghazi, Libya. This resulted in the death of four American heroes. Sadly, no substantial information was revealed.

The American people have legitimate questions and deserve answers as to what happened on the evening of September 11, 2012. Why did the administration not make an immediate response in the area of the consulate as requested during the 6-hour attack? Why did the administration place blame on a video rather than reveal that it was an organized terrorist attack? Why has the administration failed to provide answers to valid questions after 2 months of inquiry, as requested by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon?

It's my hope that the appropriate officials of this administration will appear before Congress and provide answers the American people deserve.

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

Mr. Speaker, congratulations to Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia, South Carolina, for winning the 2012 ``Pink Glove Dance'' video competition. Designed by Medline Industries, Inc., the Pink Glove Dance contest is designed to raise awareness about breast cancer and show support for cancer survivors.

Lexington Medical Center's video featured nearly 1,000 hospital employees dancing to the Katy Perry song ``Part of Me'' while wearing pink gloves. Lexington Medical Center beat 260 other health organizations. And, it was the second year in a row they won this contest.

We are fortunate to have the leadership of Lexington Medical Center President and CEO Mike Biediger, Board Chairman Dan Jones, and Director of Marketing Mark Shelley. Thank you to Lexington Medical Center for everything they do to treat cancer patients and educate our community about cancer prevention.

Mr. Speaker, the following article was published recognizing the leadership of Lexington County, South Carolina, as a Purple Heart County in the Lexington County Chronicle on September 20, 2012:

Lexington Is the First Purple Heart County

Lexington County became the first in the state to be

designated as a Purple Heart County.

A resolution was read before Lexington County Council,

Sept. 11, that named Lexington a Purple Heart County.

``It's a recognition and a show of support for not only

Purple Heart recipients, but for veterans and all of those

who served,'' said Stan Thornburgh.

Thornburgh, of Lexington, is a past commander of the Col.

Charles Murray Memorial Chapter of the Military Order of the

Purple Heart. The chapter is based in Columbia, but many of

its members live in Lexington County.

Thornburgh received the Purple Heart after being wounded in

Vietnam in 1969.

Purple Heart recipients are military personnel wounded as a

direct result of enemy action.

Councilman Bobby ``Gravedigger'' Keisler sponsored the

resolution to designate Lexington County as a Purple Heart

county.

``It is important to support veterans and the people who

served our country,'' Keisler said. He said James Miller

asked him to sponsor the Purple Heart designation. Miller, of

South Congaree, is the state commander of the Military Order

of the Purple Heart. Miller lives in Keisler's district.

``It's an honor to do it,'' said Keisler, who served a six-

year stint in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era.

John B. Testruth is the Adjutant of Chapter 402. The

chapter is the largest of the 13 in South Carolina. It has

298 members. Testruth said the Purple Heart Chapter also

raises funds to donate to causes for veterans. He also said

the county is supportive of veterans in general.

``Lexington is a very patriotic county,'' Thornburgh said.

``People are supportive and appreciate those who served.''

Mr. Speaker, yesterday with Veterans Day, our country celebrated and remembered the brave men and women who have served in our Armed Forces, dedicating their lives to protecting our freedom and keeping American families safe. Unfortunately, sequestration is targeting these honorable individuals and our national security by being implemented unless taxes are increased. Defense spending, according to The Hill newspaper, is 15.1 percent of the budget but is subject to 50 percent of the cuts.

Raising taxes during times of economic uncertainty limits the creation of new jobs. America's small businesses should be encouraged to create jobs. This will reduce the unsustainable deficit. House Republicans were reelected last week on the premise of not voting to raise taxes. I support the legislation of House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon to stop sequestration and promote peace through strength.

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

Mr. Speaker, as we enter the final stages of this election cycle, the American people have a choice for change--promoting limited government with expanded freedom or big government with power to politicians. A key issue is job creation.

I support the bipartisan initiatives of John F. Kennedy's and Ronald Reagan's of cutting taxes, which enable the private sector to create jobs. President Obama has enacted failed policies of borrow, tax, and spend, producing 43 months of unemployment of over 8 percent.

New jobs could be created with an all-of-the-above energy policy, but President Obama promised skyrocketing energy costs--doubling gas prices. A better course would be to develop the Keystone pipeline with our number one ally, Canada. The contrast on national defense is clear--that we should stand for peace through strength: Ronald Reagan. President Obama's policies to hollow out our military reveal weakness.

My constituents are heartbroken at the Internet tragedy of our Ambassador to Libya being murdered and his body desecrated by terrorists.

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 administration released a report on how the President plans to implement the $600 billion defense sequester, threatening servicemembers, military families, and veterans. Politico explained it ``shed little new light on the sword of Damocles.'' This report, required by the passage of the Sequestration Transparency Act, arrived 1 week late, confirming that the President and the liberal-controlled Senate have refused to take sequestration as a top priority.

Today, the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing to receive testimony from key government officials who will implement sequestration. Based upon the minimal information provided, it's clear the administration has not made appropriate plans for the drastic budget cuts, even though the White House is responsible for proposing the disastrous proposal. House Republicans have voted five times, led by Chairman Buck McKeon, to replace sequestration with commonsense reforms to avoid the threat to national security or destroying jobs. I urge the President and the Senate to begin working with the House before it's too late.

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

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, the 11th anniversary of September 11, 2001, there was a cowardly, murderous terrorist attack at the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Our Embassy was breached in Cairo, Egypt, with the American flag being desecrated.

Unfortunately, the President's failed leadership has led to weakness, reducing the Army to the smallest size since 1939, reducing the Navy to the smallest fleet since 1916, and reducing the Air Force to the smallest size since it was created. This endangers our national security and puts American families and our allies at risk. Additionally, the President supports sequestration and has done nothing to halt the defense budget cuts which will limit the capabilities of our Armed Forces while destroying hundreds of thousands of jobs.

American families deserve better. To continue to promote democracy and peace, we must implement President Ronald Reagan's approach of providing peace through strength. The bias of the coordinated disinformation of the liberal media is a disgrace to journalism.

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

Mr. Speaker, both at home and abroad, the brave men and women serving in our Armed Forces dedicate their lives to protecting this great Nation. Access to absentee voter registration within our military's ranks has been increasingly difficult due to changing residencies and overseas deployments. In order to make voting for our servicemembers more accessible, Congress passed the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act. Unfortunately, the administration has failed in its implementation.

On Thursday, the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel will hold a hearing to investigate these issues in an effort to determine why the Department of Defense has failed to properly implement the legislation. As chairman of the subcommittee, I look forward to hearing witnesses explain and ensure that those serving in our Armed Forces are given the best available access to voter registration. Every reasonable effort should be made to enable a servicemember's ability to vote.

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

Our sympathies to the families of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and our Foreign Service officers in Libya and Egypt.

Madam Speaker, 11 years ago today, our Nation was attacked by a group of Islamic terrorists who declared war on our country and the freedoms we cherish. The innocent civilians who were murdered by this act of terrorism will never be forgotten.

In order to protect American families, our country's military capabilities must remain the strongest in the world. Sadly, due to the President's policies and the looming threat of sequestration, our national security stands at risk. The budget reductions to defense will reduce the Navy to the smallest fleet since 1916, the smallest Army and Marine Corps since 1939, and the smallest Air Force since it was created.

House Republicans have passed legislation to save 2.14 million jobs by offering a replacement for sequestration. Unfortunately, the President has failed to show leadership and refused to act. It is my hope the liberal-controlled Senate will put aside party politics and work to prevent the weakening of our defense capabilities.

In conclusion, we will never forget the cowardly attacks of September the 11th on innocent civilians.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest jobs report. For 43 months, our Nation's unemployment rate has remained above 8 percent. Last month, only 96,000 more people found jobs and, sadly, 368,000 people were discouraged and defeated and gave up searching for jobs. To make matters worse, for persons with jobs, the average hourly wages decreased and labor force participation is the lowest in 31 years.

The President's policies have failed to create jobs, failed to encourage economic growth, and failed to reassure hardworking Americans that we can restore hope for American families. The American people deserve better. They deserve leadership in Washington that will fight to create jobs. It is past time for the liberal-controlled Senate to act on the dozens of bipartisan bills the House has passed and approved promoting jobs for American families.

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

Mr. Speaker, in a recent opinion piece submitted to Politico, Jeffrey Zients, the Acting Director for the Office of Management and Budget, wrote:

As President Barack Obama has said many times, the

sequester wasn't meant to be implemented. It was designed to

cut so deep that just threatening them would force Congress

to meet and agree on a big, balanced package of deficit

reduction.

If the President actually believed the Budget Control Act would destroy jobs and threaten our national security, why did he sign the legislation into law? Additionally, if he believed the proposed cuts would frighten Members of Congress, why has he remained silent on this issue?

House Republicans have acted and passed bipartisan legislation several times replacing the sequester with responsible reforms as well as calling for more government transparency to stop the destruction of 200,000 jobs in Virginia alone.

I urge the President to support this bill in order to promote peace through strength.

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

Mr. Speaker, defense sequestration is a very real danger that will threaten our national security, put our brave men and women in uniform at risk, and destroy up to 1 million jobs across our country. Sadly, the President avoids action on this extremely important issue.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon has recently been quoted in Politico saying:

We're overdue for guidance from the administration on how

they interpret the law and plan to implement sequestration

mechanically.

Last May, House Republicans voted to prevent sequestration by passing legislation which replaces these drastic defense cuts while maintaining a strong national defense. Additionally, one week ago today, the House passed the Sequestration Transparency Act with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 414-2, which holds the administration accountable for these cuts. I urge the President and Senate to act before it's too late and hundreds of thousands of hardworking Americans lose their jobs.

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

Mr. Speaker, since the President took office, his administration has enacted over 400 new government regulations limiting small business owners from creating new jobs. This year alone, the Federal Register has published over 41,000 pages of regulations that would cost $56.6 billion and result in paperwork that would take over 114 million wasted hours to complete.

With record unemployment, it is sadly clear that the President's new taxes and policies are failing American families and destroying jobs. House Republicans are focused on putting Americans back to work. As a result, we have passed over 30 job-creation bills in the past year. Sadly, these bills remain stalled by the liberal-controlled Senate.

This week, the House, led by Kevin Brady, will vote on the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act and, once again, attempt to remove government red tape prohibiting America's job creators from achieving economic success in creating jobs. I hope we can work together to support this legislation.

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