Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to support the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act.

Appropriately named after an American hero, the conference report contains policy and funding initiatives that provide our military with the resources necessary to restore readiness and rebuild combat capability. Chairman Mac Thornberry has been very successful, with leadership, to expedite this critical legislation in record time.

As Readiness Subcommittee chairman, I appreciate that the conference report authorizes additional funding for training, spare parts, equipment, and weapons systems maintenance.

The conference report also focuses on aviation readiness by increasing flying hours, funding for spare parts, and establishing a commission to examine the tragic rise in military aviation accidents.

Both the House and Senate bills address Navy surface forces improvements in response to last year's collisions and tragic loss of 17 lives on the Fitzgerald and McCain. I appreciate the conference report because it contains a range of provisions that improves the operation of surface fleets.

The conference report provides critical funding for Fort Jackson and continues construction of the mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility at the Savannah River site to protect the environment in South Carolina and Georgia.

It also supports our strongest ally in the Middle East, Israel, by establishing defense partnerships to counter Iran's terrorist activities.

In conclusion, I want to thank Chairman Thornberry again for his success with his dedicated, professional staff. I also appreciate the Readiness Subcommittee's distinguished ranking member, Madeleine Bordallo of Guam, for her contributions to this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all of my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, it is with sincere gratitude and appreciation that I have the opportunity to recognize Matt Blackwell, former senior legislative assistant for South Carolina's Second Congressional District. I will always appreciate Matt for his years of service on behalf of the people of South Carolina.

A native of Aiken, South Carolina, and a USC graduate, Matt worked on a wide variety of issues, including energy, tax, financial services, transportation and infrastructure, and budget and appropriations. Beginning as an intern in the office in 2013, it has been an honor to work with such a dedicated public servant.

It is with mixed feelings, but great happiness, that the office bids Matt farewell. He will be doing amazing work in his new role as legislative director for Congressman Neal Dunn of Florida, a distinguished graduate of Washington and Lee University of Lexington, Virginia.

I know his parents, State Representative Bart and Paula Blackwell, and family members join me in recognizing his achievements.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that a talented constituent Pauline M. Brown of Barnwell, South Carolina, has written an inspiring book entitled A Touch of Heaven. Beginning with love letters to her husband serving in Vietnam in 1968, she has continued writing, composing more than five hundred poems including the following from her book, A Friendly Hello (pg. 36).

A Friendly Hello

Always believe in the simplest things--

Sunshine and flowers, flags blowing in the wind,

The music of children, rain on a tin roof,

Afternoons spent with a cherished friend.

A friendly hello can make all the difference

In anyone's fragile state of mind.

Say ``I miss you,'' ``I love you,''

``God bless you, my friend,''

And the saddest of spirits will be realigned.

A friendly hello can dry the tears of heartache.

A little encouragement can rescue a lost cause.

Remember a friend who brought you back from despair,

And do the same for someone else, just because.

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to congratulate Major Andrew Crowe, former Military Fellow of South Carolina's Second Congressional District, and his wife, Major Michelle Crowe, of Alexandria, Virginia, on the birth of their new baby girl, Samantha Josephine Crowe. Samantha Josephine Crowe was born on July 23, 2018, at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. Samantha weighed seven pounds and 15 ounces and measured 22.2 inches long.

I would also like to congratulate Samantha's grandparents, Carol and Donald Long, Edward Brunt, and Cheri and Robert Crowe. Congratulations and best wishes to the entire family as they are blessed with their newest addition of pure pride and joy.

Mr. Speaker, Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali has made positive changes in the country since his April inauguration. Prime Minister Ali has released thousands of political prisoners and ended a state of emergency.

Critically, Dr. Abiy has stated that Ethiopia will fully comply with the Algiers Agreement, the peace agreement signed for the formal end of the war of 12 years between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which, gruesomely, has killed more than 100,000 people.

Prime Minister Abiy's leadership and initiative to personally visit with the Eritrean leadership and offer direct airline routes has melted away a nearly 18-year cold war between the two states.

The United States will continue to support Prime Minister Abiy's diplomatic outreach and reform, which will

also contribute to regional stability. New hope and opportunity with free market reforms are now available to the people of Ethiopia.

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

Welcome, Pastor John Hagee and Christians United for Israel, to Washington, addressed last night by Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Mr. Speaker, the latest results are in from the Republican tax cuts, with Trump deregulation, producing jobs: $2,059 average tax cut for a typical family of four; $2,000 new per child tax credit, double the old amount.

Sixteen regulations rolled back through the Congressional Review Act process, the most in history. Ninety percent of Americans are receiving bigger paychecks under the new withholding tables.

A 3.4 percent increase in real disposable income in the first quarter of 2018; a record high level of U.S. exports of goods and services, over $200 billion; 3.7 million jobs created since November 2016; 1.3 million jobs created since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act became law; 6.6 million job openings as of May 2018, meaning more jobs than job seekers. Sixty-five percent of Americans now say it is a good time to find a quality job.

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

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, The Washington Times correctly reported on the front page about the NATO conference that ``President Trump's bare-knuckles diplomacy paid off.''

``Mr. Trump declared that the U.S. remained committed to the military alliance.''

The Brussels Declaration of July 11 itself confirmed: ``We will share fairly the responsibilities of defending each other. Real progress has been made across NATO. . . . But even if we have turned a corner, we need to do more, and there will be further progress.''

Today, I am grateful to welcome a delegation from Bulgaria as a valued NATO ally. Chairperson of the Foreign Policy Committee, Dzhema Grozdanova of the National Assembly, who also is chair of the Friendship group Bulgaria-USA, is leading a delegation of assembly members to Washington, coordinated by Ambassador Tihomir Stoytchev. It is inspiring to see young Bulgarians and Americans training together at the base at Novo Selo to establish 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, The Post and Courier of Charleston, South Carolina, has provided a thoughtful editorial supporting the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

The editorial reinforces that ``Brett Kavanaugh is a highly qualified `originalist' who will help return the Supreme Court to its proper function in American society. The Senate should quickly confirm him.''

``Judge Kavanaugh . . . fits President Donald Trump's promise to appoint judges known to adhere to the original language of the Constitution and its amendments, and to closely follow the law as laid down by Congress.''

``As a Federal judge, Mr. Kavanaugh appears to have taken the . . . view that Congress is the preeminent policymaking body of the Federal government except where the Constitution gives policymaking powers to the executive; that Congress, the executive branch and the judiciary are all bound by the Constitution . . . and that judges and the President are further bound by the permissible decisions of Congress.''

``It would be a welcome change to see the court allow the political branches of government to decide most political questions rather than the court.''

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

Mr. Speaker, President Donald Trump has made an excellent selection of Judge Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court. The Aiken Standard lead editorial today is correct: ``Brett Kavanaugh the Right Choice for Court.''

``A judge's job is to interpret the law, not to make the law or make policy,'' writes Judge Brett Kavanaugh. The judge will apply the law as written and enforce the text, structure, and original understanding of the Constitution.

Judge Brett Kavanaugh's credentials are impeccable. He served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia for 12 years. He has authored more than 300 opinions.

A graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School, Judge Kavanaugh has clerked on the Supreme Court under Justice Anthony Kennedy and on the Third and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has taught at Yale, Harvard, and Georgetown.

Judge Kavanaugh has devoted his life to public service, and the Senate should confirm him quickly, as America, he, and his family deserves. The biased media will fail again as it smears the judge, making up more fake news and destroying its own credibility.

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

Mr. Speaker, this week, Investor's Business Daily published an editorial titled: ``Colorblind Boom in Jobs.''

The editorial begins: ``It may be a surprise, but President Trump is nowhere near as unpopular among minority voters as the biased mainstream media suggest. Why is that? In a word, jobs.

``Trump, it turns out, has been the most consequential President in history when it comes to minority employment. In June, for instance, the unemployment rate for Hispanics and Latinos 16 years and older fell to 4.6 percent, its lowest level ever. . . . ''

African American unemployment of 6.5 percent ``represents the second lowest unemployment reading ever for Black Americans.

``As for Asian Americans, unemployment similarly bounced off its all- time low. . . . ''

``The truth is, the ripping jobs growth that began when Trump entered office and picked up steam after his tax cuts has been good for everyone in America--even liberal media pundits.''

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

Best wishes, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, with an impeccable record of service to be on the Supreme Court of the United States.

Happy birthday, Jackson Gossett.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Van Hipp, on the establishment of the Hipp Center for National Security and Foreign Policy at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The Hipp Center provides experiential learning options for students interested in international relations, which includes student opportunities for internships in national security and foreign policy and an upcoming exchange program. Van founded the Hipp Lecture Series on International Affairs and National Security in 2011 which has since hosted many great American lecturers including President Donald Trump, Secretary Ben Carson, and Governor George Pataki.

Speaker Newt Gingrich said of the center, ``Van Hipp has spent a lifetime working to defend America and defeat our enemies. This new Center for National Security and Foreign Policy will help a new generation learn the key lessons which shaped Van's life.''

Hipp is a former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party and is now chairman of American Defense International, Inc., in Washington. He serves on the board of directors of the American Conservative Union and on the National Capital Board of the Salvation Army. Van Hipp's enduring generosity will positively impact both students at Wofford College and South Carolinians for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, South Carolinians extend sincere thoughts and prayers to State Representative Katie Arrington, who was injured in a tragic auto accident on Friday. We are grateful to learn that Katie will make a full recovery.

On June 12, Katie achieved the Republican nomination for Congress for the historic First District of South Carolina. When successful in November, she will be the first Republican Federal elected official in the history of South Carolina, in the tradition of Ambassador Nikki Haley who was South Carolina's first female Governor in 340 years.

Also, yesterday, Republicans nominated Pamela Evette to be the first female Republican Lieutenant Governor ever, and Lexington Republicans selected Paula Rawl Calhoon for the South Carolina State House.

Katie served as an executive with military defense contracts, ensuring servicemembers will have the tools necessary to succeed. She is on the board of many organizations, including Women In Defense, Charleston Defense Contractors Association, and South Carolina Cyber.

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

Congratulations on yesterday's primary victories by Governor Henry

McMaster, Attorney General Alan Wilson, and congressional nominee William Timmons.

Mr. Speaker, last week the National Federation of Independent Business released their May Small Business Optimism Index, which is the highest Small Business Optimism rating in history.

The NFIB reports that expansion plans for small businesses have hit an all-time high. The positive sales trends for independent businesses are at their highest level since 1995.

These statistics show that the Republican tax cuts and President Donald Trump's economic deregulation have promoted jobs.

Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the National Association of Manufacturers, led by President Jay Timmons, reports 77 percent of manufacturers plan to increase hiring, and 72 percent plan to increase wages or benefits.

Current unemployment is 3.8 percent, the lowest level in almost 50 years. In addition, African American unemployment is the lowest ever recorded.

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

Our sympathy to the family and talented associates of Charles Krauthammer, a megastar for truth on FOX News.

Mr. Speaker, South Carolinians appreciate the service of Major General John P. ``Pete'' Johnson, the 50th Commander of the U.S. Army Training Center and Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina.

Since taking command in June 2016, Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson has supervised numerous changes and improvements to the installation. Prior to serving at the U.S. Army Training Center and Fort Jackson, Maj. Gen. Johnson served in principal staff leadership positions, joint service positions and has commanded troops from Company through Brigade and the Combined Joint Task Force-levels, including several combat tours, to include: Operations Enduring/Iraqi Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq, Operation Provide Comfort, Iraq and Operation Just Cause, Panama.

Additionally, his notable command assignments include: Deputy Commanding General for Operations, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Commander, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. Upon his departure from Fort Jackson, he will become the Deputy Commanding General for United States Army Pacific (USARPAC), at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. Best wishes to Major General Johnson and his wife Sheila as they embark on this new chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent for votes on June 12, 2018.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 258, and YEA on Roll Call No. 259