Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and my good friend, Mr. McGovern, for the kind words.

What we did here was simple. It is not always simple to get through the legislative process, but what we attempted to do was reauthorize a bill that hadn't been authorized. Appropriated dollars were being spent.

It has been the focus of the Republican Congress to make sure we reauthorize programs, and we do that to fix things that have gone wrong over the years or because a changing environment has occurred.

The last time the bill was really authorized was 2002. Fast-forward 15 years, there are things changed. The authorization amount was set. We actually spent more than the authorization amount.

People love this program, but we have got to update it to the modern day, and we need to fix some of the items. Those are reflected in this bill, and I appreciate the Rules Committee hearing the debate, addressing some of the concerns, and deciding that this bill can come to the floor. As it was stated, no amendments were offered to debate on this floor, which I think is a great process.

Simply put, I have a friend from Houston, Texas, who is very proud of the Houston Astros, and he will cite Minute Maid Park. Minute Maid Park is on a brownfields. So if you looked at the World Series and you saw that beautiful facility, well, that is the result of the brownfields program that we are now trying to update and fix.

The stats are pretty clear. I mean, you get a $16 return for every dollar we put in at the Federal level. That is a great return on investment. Jobs are increased by every projection, and even local land values around the brownfields, the property values increase around them. This and more will be debated and discussed when we bring the bill to the floor tomorrow. This rule helps us do that.

Mr. Speaker, one other thing I will end on, and I know we will have a lot of debate and frustration and controversy, but this did go through regular order. We had a hearing. We had a subcommittee mark. As Mr. McGovern mentioned, we had a full committee mark. We invested with our Democratic colleagues--they brought some ideas; some were accepted; some were rejected; some of the ones that we had they rejected--and we have a pretty good product to bring as part of this rule.

I would ask my colleagues to support the rule so we can bring the bill to the floor, and I thank my colleagues on the Rules Committee for making it happen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Mahomet-Seymour High School Boys Cross Country Team, who are the 2017 Class 2A Illinois team cross country champions.

Mahomet-Seymour won the meet with 91 points, easily outdistancing its nearest competitor, as its three top-ten finishers, Mathias Powell (4th), Riley Fortune (6th), and Ryan Hodge (9th), powered the team to victory. But this was a team effort and a team victory as the outstanding efforts by Bryson Keeble, Evan Burge, Kaelan Davis, and Nate Douglas also contributed to the win.

I would like to congratulate the entire Mahomet-Seymour Boys Cross Country Team on their victory: Evan Burge, Joe Churm, Riley Fortune, Ryan Hodge, Kyle Sheehy, Garrett Williams, Kaelan Davis, Nate Douglas, Bryson Keeble, Keil Ledin, Caleb Mason, Jack McHale, Mathias Powell, David Wilcoski,

Gaven Williams, Caleb Dowers, and Joe Taylor, as well as Head Coach Neal Garrison, on a superb end to a great season.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Mahomet-Seymour High School Boys Cross Country Team in winning the 2017 state cross country title, and I wish the team and their coach all the best in the future.

Mr. Speaker, it is great to be on the floor today.

It was an awesome opportunity to be a conferee on the National Defense Authorization bill. As a veteran, 5 years active Army Infantry, 23 in the Reserves, I don't get a chance to do that very often because I am on the best committee in Congress, which is Energy and Commerce. But to be able to be in that process, I am very appreciative to you and to the other conferees.

It was then that you learn what you learn, and the military had a problem. They had a long-delayed issue on freeze-dried plasma that is inexcusable, and they took action in the legislative language to rectify that delay, and we would, too. But the legislative process worked.

I also want to commend my colleagues on the minority side and Ranking Member Pallone because what we want for our men and women in uniform, we want them to get an expedited pathway to lifesaving devices and drugs. But we also want to make sure that those things are safe, and the premier institution for safety and efficacy is the Food and Drug Administration.

Now, we have a new administration that probably wouldn't have had an 8-year delay on freeze-dried plasma, and we have a new administrator of the FDA who has committed to reform these processes.

But good intentions are not all that we need. We need legislative language. We need to enshrine these changes in the law, and this is a good example, when I used to teach government history in high school, of how government works: House bill, Senate bill, go t conference. Even after a conference, it wasn't just right, so the legislative leaders went to work to fix this.

The changes have been identified by both the ranking member and the chairman, but the bottom line is the FDA needs to have the opportunity to look and expedite the drug. And we actually give them a shot clock for those people in harm's way, to make sure that drugs and devices are available to our warfighters, that it is safe and secure and delivered in a timely manner. This is the least we can do for our men and women in uniform.

I thank my colleagues on both sides, and I thank Chairman Thornberry.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Unity High School Girls Cross Country Team, who are the 2017 Class 1A Illinois team cross country champions.

Unity, in Tolono, won the meet with 108 points, as its three All- State finishers, Caroline Bachert (13th), Jordan Harmon (21st), and Evelyn Atkins (25th), powered the team to victory. But this was a team effort and a team victory as every runner contributed to Unity's razor- thin two point victory.

I would like to congratulate the entire Unity Girls Cross Country Team on their victory: Evelyn Adkins, Caroline Bachert, Mackenzie Brunk, Caroline Cousins, Savannah Day, Kylie Decker, Miranda Fairbanks, Audrey Hancock, Jordan Harmon, Chelsie Helmick, Elizabeth Hulick, Taylor Joop, Rachael King, Natalie King, Riley Millsap, Taylor Millsap, Evyenia Pyle, Lily Styan, as well as Head Coach Kara Leaman, on a superb end to a great season. And with only one senior in the group who ran at the state meet, Unity can look forward to continued success with its program.

Mr. Speaker, today it is an honor for me to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Unity Girls Cross Country Team in winning the 2017 state cross country title, and I wish the team and their coach all the best in the future.

Mr. Speaker, in a time of national strife that we see our Nation in every now and then, it is good to remember history.

Mr. Speaker, 180 years ago yesterday, a man named Elijah Parish Lovejoy was run out of St. Louis city for writing and publishing an abolitionist newspaper called the St. Louis Observer. He then moved across to Alton, Illinois, where he continued to advocate the end of slavery.

On the 7th of November, 1837, Lovejoy received a new press. Many of his printing presses were thrown into the river. When he got the new press from the Ohio Anti-Slavery Society, the local slave owners heard about the arrival of the new machine and they decided to destroy it.

A group of his friends attempted to protect it, but during the attack, Lovejoy was shot in the head and died. Elijah Parish Lovejoy was America's first martyr to freedom of the press. Of course, we debate the press, but the press is still an important institution in our society.

In 1952, the Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award was established and it is given to a member of the newspaper profession who continues the Lovejoy heritage of fearlessly defending freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to come back and remember a great moment in our history.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of National Obesity Care Week on behalf of the over 90 million adult Americans living with obesity today.

Treating obesity is more than just eating right and exercising and is caused by a number of factors that are often out of that person's control. These include genetics, socioeconomic status, and physiological, psychological and environmental factors.

As important, obesity is also linked to over 50 disorders including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. In fact, over $1.42 trillion is spent in the U.S. on direct and indirect costs for health related conditions related to obesity a year.

National Obesity Care Week aims to advance an evidence-based understanding of obesity and widespread access to comprehensive and appropriate care. Unfortunately, at 31.6 percent, Illinois has the 18th highest adult obesity rate in the nation--4 million people--almost a third of our population. This must change. I urge my fellow Members, the scientific community, and researchers, to treat obesity seriously-- as the chronic disease that it is--and I urge the medical community to have conversations with their patients, their students, and their colleagues about obesity and how we can effectively treat this disease.

Mr. Speaker, today is a big day. I want to congratulate my colleague and friend, Mr. Brady, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, and the committee for the rollout of our tax reform proposal, the first time in over 30 years.

For the individual, what do we get?

We get a fairer, flatter, simpler Tax Code. We are lowering the rates. We are doubling personal exemptions. And guess what. Most Americans will be able to file their tax returns on a postcard.

For corporate America, we get a reduction from 35 percent to 20 percent, which will make us competitive across the world. Most countries in the major industrialized nations tax their corporations at a 20 percent rate.

We will eliminate most every loophole that will deprive special interests of being able to interrupt and intercede in that Tax Code.

For what purpose?

A simple purpose: more money in individuals' pockets, and a growing, thriving economy for all Americans.

Again, I congratulate Chairman Brady and the Ways and Means Committee. I look forward to seeing quick passage on the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dee Braden for her service to the senior citizens of Coles County, Illinois.

On December 31, 2017, Dee will be retiring from the Coles County Council on Aging (CCCA) after 41 years of service. Dee began her career at the CCCA as a Volunteer Recruiter and was soon promoted to the organization's Executive Director. Under Dee's leadership the (CCA was awarded three Illinois Governor Awards for Unique Distinction, one of which came after ten years of research, development, and fundraising that led to the construction of the 25,000 square foot LifeSpan Center in Charleston, Illinois.

I have worked with Dee and the LifeSpan Center staff on several occasions to provide information to my constituents. Dee has always been most helpful and professional. It is clear she loves those she serves at LifeSpan and loves her community.

While serving as the CCCA's Executive Director, Dee simultaneously served her community and its seniors in many other capacities by serving on multiple advisory boards and committees. Dee has been a true champion in her efforts to enhance the quality of life for older adults in her community.

Mr. Speaker, I wish Dee nothing but the best in her retirement and thank her for her many years of dedicated service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Massac County Girls Golf team, who are the 2017 Class 1A Illinois team golf champions.

Massac County's overall score of 89 was six shots better than its nearest competitor, as the Lady Patriots were led by two top 20 finishers, with Millie Lawson placing 12th overall, and Emma Korte tying for 18th place. This championship is Massac County's fourth title in the last 12 years.

I would like to congratulate the entire Massac County Girls Golf Team on this victory, Emma Korte, Millie Lawson, Madie Coakley, Mady Blair, Lauren Coakley, and Madison Cunningham, as well as Head Coach Laurie Glass, on a superb end to a great season.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the excellence of the Massac County Girls Golf Team in winning the 2017 state golf title, and I wish the players, and their coach, all the best in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to congratulate Charleston High School for winning the 2017 IHSA Class 2A Boys State Golf Tournament.

In their State Championship effort, the Trojans set a new school record by six strokes with a team score of 599 over the two day tournament. The members of the Charleston High School Golf team dedicated their State Championship, like they had their entire 2017 season, to their classmate and friend Jordan Holly, who passed away this past May. I commend these young people for selflessly honoring others during one of their greatest achievements.

Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my congratulations to the Head Coach Randy Hapster and to team members Keegan Gowin, Ben Lanman, Robert Rardin, Preston Smith, Blake Wolfe, and Zach Will. They should all be very proud of their accomplishments this season and I wish them nothing but the best for the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today for a very special purpose, to recognize Mr. Ed McMillan of Greenville, IL, as a 2018 recipient of the Order of Lincoln.

Established in 1964, the Order of Lincoln is the state's highest award and each honoree receives a warrant signed by the Governor and bearing the Great Seal of the State of Illinois, certifying his or her investiture as a Laureate of the Order of Lincoln.

The purpose of the award is to ``honor individuals whose outstanding contributions to the betterment of mankind have been accomplished in or on behalf of the State of Illinois.'' Mr. McMillan is a worthy recipient of this award. He grew up in McDonough County on a family farm, graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign, and is currently the President & CEO of Purina Mills. He has served on many industry boards of directors plus extensive civic and philanthropic organizations, including Chairman, Board of Trustees, University of Illinois System.

Mr. McMillan's selection by the Academy is in recognition of his leadership in state and national agribusiness. His investiture will occur during the Lincoln Academy's annual convocation next year, when he will join a cohort of 340 distinguished Illinois citizens who have been honored over the past 54 years.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend to Mr. McMillan, as well as the other Order of Lincoln recipients, my sincerest congratulations and very best wishes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize Linda Oxby, a longtime educator, coach, and mentor.

Ms. Oxby first found her love for coaching volleyball at Coal City High School where she spent her first five years in education. Eventually she moved to Edwards County High School in Albion, IL, where she taught and was an administrator for 28 years as well as coached their volleyball team for 19 years. During her coaching career at ECHS, she amassed 633 victories and 5 trips to the IHSA State Volleyball Tournament. And in 2012, Edwards County High School renamed their gym to the ``Linda Oxby Gymnasium'' in her honor.

In 2011, Ms. Oxby was diagnosed with cancer, but remained dedicated to her community, school, and team as she continued to coach volleyball through her treatments. On September 28th, Linda Oxby passed away after a 6-year battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, respect, and service. While Linda Oxby experienced phenomenal success on the court, her number of victories is unparalleled to the number of lives she impacted as a coach, teacher, colleague, and friend.

I send my most heartfelt condolences to Linda Oxby's family, friends, and to the entire Edwards County School District. She will be missed dearly by all of those she has touched.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize Doug McCumber for his leadership and service to his community of Tuscola,

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the fiscal year 2018 budget resolution, and I thank Chairman Black for her hard work developing this blueprint.

Our Nation's national debt now exceeds $20 trillion. While there are many factors driving our Nation's fiscal health and long-term spending outlook, I am working to address one of those items this year: our Nation's need to dispose of spent nuclear fuel.

In 1982, Congress passed the Nuclear Waste Policy Act and enacted a formal nuclear waste management program for the Federal Government and set a 1998 deadline for the Department of Energy to begin to dispose of used fuel. Nuclear utilities signed a contract with DOE requiring this deadline to be met. Unfortunately, the Federal Government did not meet that deadline and has yet to take title to this material.

Since then, the Federal Government has been held liable for not meeting this deadline, and the courts awarded financial damages to utilities due to the breach of contract. The payments resulting from these lawsuits are paid from a specific Department of the Treasury account, known as the judgment fund, a permanent, unlimited fund not subject to budget caps or annual appropriations.

Since 2009, DOE's total liability has escalated from $12 billion to nearly $30 billion, or over $2 billion in total liability for each year of delay. Last year alone, the nuclear waste costs were about one-third of all Federal Government payments due to litigation. Put another way, American taxpayers are paying over $2 million every single day in which we neglect our moral and legal obligation to permanently dispose of spent nuclear fuel.

It is time to get our nuclear waste management program back on track. Bipartisan legislation I introduced, H.R. 3053, the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2017, which passed out of the Committee of Energy and Commerce by an overwhelming vote of

49-4, would do just that. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to address this budget challenge.

Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Black again for her leadership and support of this important issue.

Mr. Chair, I urge support of this budget.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Troy, Illinois, on the occasion of its 150th anniversary.

St. Paul's had its beginning in 1864 when local Lutheran families first came together for worship. In 1865 a new church building was dedicated, which served both as a place to worship and as a school, and on January 25, 1867, St. Paul's Lutheran Congregation was officially established.

Since then, St. Paul's has had a strong presence in Troy. Whether by providing an elementary school education to its children, giving back to Troy through its community-based services, or simply ministering to its congregation, St. Paul's has been a focal point for the religious and spiritual needs of the community.

In the years since the first church building was dedicated, St. Paul's has undergone many changes: a second house of God was dedicated in 1888, German and English services began in 1900, an extensive remodeling occurred in 1938, and construction on the current church began in 1961. But what has not changed over the past 150 years has been the spirit of love and joy in God's work that first animated St. Paul's and is present in today's congregation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge an important milestone for St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and I wish it, and its pastor, the Reverend Michael Schuessler, the very best as they celebrate the church's 150th anniversary.