Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6079, the Repeal Obamacare Act. It has been over two years since the partisan Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law by President Obama and the country is still looking for reform.

When ObamaCare was introduced, the public was assured this was not a tax, but we have come to realize that this is, in fact one of the largest tax increases on the middle class in recent memory. We were told that ObamaCare would strengthen Medicare, but in fact the bill diverts $500 billion from Medicare to pay for other provisions of ObamaCare.

The United States needs real common-sense healthcare reforms, which is why I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6079. We must work together in a bi-partisan manner to support reforms that will lower costs, like allowing individuals to search for insurance across state lines and comprehensive tort reform, while continuing to protect individuals with pre-existing conditions and allowing children to remain on their parents' insurance plan.

Chairman Miller, thank you for those kind words, and thank you for your support in helping me move this piece of legislation forward.

I rise today in support of H.R. 4114, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2012.

H.R. 4114, which I introduced in February, puts veterans on equal footing with Social Security beneficiaries by increasing the amount provided to several kinds of compensation by the amount of the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. These include disabled veterans compensation, veterans' clothing allowance, and the DIC for veterans' survivors.

This annual and noncontroversial bill, which has been scored by CBO as having no budgetary impact, is a critical part of ensuring that benefits for disabled veterans and their families are sufficient to meet their needs.

I am proud that the first bill I introduced in Congress last year was the veterans' COLA bill, which gave the first cost-of-living adjustment to our

veterans that they had received in several years. I am equally proud that we are doing right by our veterans by moving the COLA bill increase this year in the form of H.R. 4114.

I urge all Members to support this critical piece of legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment increases funding for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant by $2.5 million and Assistance to Firefighters Grants, restoring these programs to FY12 levels.

The funding increase is deficit neutral, as it is offset by a $5 million decrease to the Office of Under Secretary for Management. These grants provide vital funding to our Nation's first responders to help them adequately staff firehouses and to provide the necessary specialized equipment to protect our brave men and women.

With first responder budgets being slashed all around the country, this portion of funding will help ensure fire departments can adequately respond to our constituents' emergency. During this period of budgetary constraints, we must prioritize the programs we need the most.

My amendment clearly shows that our brave first responders are a priority. This amendment is endorsed by

the International Association of Fire Fighters and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for helping me support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to two of my constituents from southern New Jersey. Rabbi Menachem Mendel and Nechama Dina Mangel, are known to their friends as Rabbi Mendy and Dinie. They are a Chabad-Lubavitch Chassidic couple who were married in 1992 in Brooklyn, New York. They have directed Chabad Lubavitch of Camden and Burlington Counties, since settling in their New Jersey community in 1994.

Rabbi Mendy received his Rabbinical ordination in New York and together they began to offer a wide-range of educational programs to increase Jewish knowledge and observance in the area. By the spring of 1994, the Chabad Lubavitch Center was established in a storefront in Voorhees, Chabad Hebrew School was inaugurated, and Shabbat services began. In April of 2002, to accommodate the increasing number of programs and participants, Chabad moved to its present home in Cherry Hill. Rabbi Mendy and Dinie have since expanded their activities into Burlington County. In 2004, they brought Rabbi Yitzchok and Baily Kahan on board to begin the Gan Israel Day Camp at Chabad and to assist with the general growth and expansion of activities at the center. More recently, in the summer of 2010, Rabbi Menachem and Shterna Kaminker joined the staff, to work with the Hebrew-speaking community.

The Mangels are the proud parents of eight wonderful children, ka''h, ranging in age from 18 2 years. Many people have come to know Rabbi Mendy and Dinie and their children through their involvement and service to their community. They participate in their community's annual Menorah lighting ceremony, deliver Purim gift packages, teach classes in the synagogue, or invite friends and neighbors in to their home to enjoy a delicious and spirited Shabbat meal. They have opened their home and their hearts to share the warmth of Jewish life and tradition with the many Jews in our area. Rabbi Mendy and Dinie and their family have devoted their lives to ignite a passion for greater commitment to Jewish life in all whom they meet.

Rabbi Mendy will be honored this week at the annual Chai Gala celebration in Cinnaminson, New Jersey and I urge my colleagues to join in me in offering my most sincere congratulations.

I move to strike the last word.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I will be really brief.

My amendment states that none of the funds made available by this Act could be used to do an informal base realignment and closure.

As you may be aware, the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act calls for an independent commission that would help determine the Air Force's force structure. I know that many Members of this Chamber also want Congress to have our say on this issue. And my amendment will help ensure that we do.

I thank the chairman and the members of the subcommittee for working with me on this important amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, l rise today to offer my support for a bi- partisan piece of legislation that I am a co-sponsor of, H.R. 365, the National Blue Alert Act of 2012.

The Blue Alert system, similar to the ``Amber Alert'' system used for abducted children, would operate throughout the United States to quickly disseminate information to law enforcement organizations advising them of when an officer has been seriously injured or killed in the line of duty.

Currently, there is no national alert system to distribute this valuable information to law enforcement. In implementing H.R. 365, we can speed up the apprehension of criminals and ensure rapid broadcasting of information to enhance public safety for all of our constituents.

This piece of legislation is deficit neutral and is funded using previously appropriated dollars from the COPS Program. This bill is supported by the Fraternal Order of Police, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the National Sherriff's Association, the National Association of Police Officers, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

In observance of National Police Week, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 365.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 58 high school seniors in South Jersey for their admirable decision to enlist in the United States Armed Forces. Of these 48 seniors, 13 have joined the Marine Corps; their names are Dominigo Parson, Kyle Hohwald, Angel Gomez, Andrew Galiano, Blase Salvatore, Cody Quick, Joshua Molinas, Jacob Presley, Hector Rivera, Anthony Pimpinello Jr., Giovanni Figueroa, Joseph Fabrizio, and Vincent Settineri II. Nine have joined the Army; their names are Dakota Beck, Brian Esposito, John Sabatino, Alan Ngyen, Kierra Law, Darryn Henwood, Ryan Madden, Kevin Roberts and Tony Ta. Ten have joined the Air Force; their names are Dane Urgo, Marvin Smith, Addison Steiger, Daniel Flowers, Rebecca Freedman, Alex Belii, Carlos Restrepo, Gabrille Swift, Matthew Vitalone, and Taylor Dockery. Four have joined the Navy; their names are John Weiser, Matthew Kapp, Craig Smith and Derek Smith. Twelve have joined the New Jersey Army National Guard; their names are Ronald Chin, Wyatt Cooper, Tyrell Powell, Daniel Szovati, Aleshia Morales, Tucker Patten, Jimmy Rodriguez, Yaritza Victor, Michael Murphy, Christian Shinkowitz, Andrew Krevetski and Jonathan Kellum. All of the 46 seniors will be recognized at the ``Our Community Salutes of South Jersey'' ceremony to be held during the evening of May 30.

As this month begins many of these young men and women will be celebrating their graduation with their fellow classmates. During that time their classmates will be preparing to move onto college or vocational school life, as these men and women begin their training in the armed services, beginning a life of service and sacrifice, all in the efforts of defending our nation and its ideals.

These young men and women now embark on a new chapter in their lives surrounded by the uncertainties of the world around them. But they should be eased by the knowledge that they are going to receive the best training available to our Armed Forces as well as the unwavering support of this chamber and the American people as they meet the challenges they may face in defense of our nation.

I would like to offer my personal thanks to these brave young men and women. Their sacrifices are the reason why I have the privilege of addressing you in this great chamber of the House of Representatives. The freedom to debate the issues confronting our nation is greatly provided by the sacrifices that these new Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, along with those who came before them, have fought hard to defend.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the remarkable dedication to our country that these young adults have demonstrated by enlisting in the Armed Forces. May we never forget to recognize all those who serve our nation and the courage they have shown volunteering to risk their lives in defense of our freedoms. All Americans owe them, as well as all those who are currently and who have in the past served our country, a deep debt of gratitude.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment transfers $22.418 million from the General Administration Fund to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program, bringing the Byrne/JAG total to $392.48 million, the same as the Senate mark.

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program provides valuable services to local police departments all around the United States. These grants help to enhance law enforcement capabilities by providing funding to local law enforcement agencies through improving officer safety via equipment, technology, and training. Better equipment and trained police officers are a necessity to keep our communities and our constituents safe.

This amendment is deficit neutral, while increasing funding for support of local law enforcement organizations all over the United States. It is also supported by the Fraternal Order of Police.

During tough fiscal times such as these, we must prioritize and ensure we are providing appropriate funding for those programs we need the most. The Byrne/JAG funding should be appropriated as mentioned above in an effort to best serve our constituents.

I urge support of my amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment transfers $5 million from the Department of Justice Legal Activities, Salaries and Expenses, General Legal Activities to the Office of Violence Against Women.

The Office of Violence Against Women serves as an invaluable resource for battered and abused women in all of our communities. The office provides grants that have helped to enhance Federal, State, and local responses to sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and dating violence, as well as providing domestic shelters and services to victims of domestic violence.

Abused women in our communities frequently have nowhere and no one to turn to. The programs provided by the Violence Against Women Act and the Office of Violence Against Women are the only safe haven for many women. These programs must be funded at a level that ensures these vital services can continue.

This amendment is deficit-neutral, while increasing funding for the Office of Violence Against Women.

During this period of budgetary constraints, we must prioritize the programs we need the most. My amendment clearly states that the Office of Violence Against Women is a priority.

I urge all of my colleagues' support on this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas H. Mayfield of Willingboro, New Jersey for his courageous and dedicated service to our Nation. Lieutenant Colonel Mayfield entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941 and was one of the first members of the 332d Fighter Group, more commonly known as the Tuskegee Airmen, an African-American aviation unit which provided critical support for the Allied campaign during World War II.

Tuskegee Airmen like Lieutenant Colonel Mayfield were called upon to serve their country at a time when the armed forces were segregated, yet they persevered in the face of discrimination and proved themselves to be valiant and indispensable warriors. Their example paved the way for future generations of African Americans to serve honorably in the military.

For his outstanding service to the United States as one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, Lieutenant Colonel Mayfield was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal--the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow. This historic unit's unparalleled record also led to a Presidential Unit Citation.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas H. Mayfield retired from the United States Air Force in 1970 with over 29 years of distinguished service. Throughout his military career he received numerous accolades, decorations and awards for outstanding service, most notably, the Silver Pilot Wings and promotion to Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps after completing flight training school in Tuskegee, Alabama.

I thank Lieutenant Colonel Mayfield for his patriotism, and his continued service to his community and his country. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognition of this trailblazing American aviator.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to a true American hero, Harold Phillips of Moorestown, New Jersey for his courageous and dedicated service to our Nation.

In 1942, President Roosevelt established a presidential directive giving African Americans an opportunity to be recruited into the United States Marine Corps, USMC. These African Americans, from all states, were not sent to the traditional Marine Corps boot camps of Parris Island, South Carolina and San Diego, California. Instead, African American Marines were segregated--experiencing basic training at Montford Point--a facility at Camp Lejeune near Jacksonville, North Carolina. Approximately twenty thousand African American Marines received basic training at Camp Montford Point between 1942 and 1949. The Montford Point Marines fought courageously during World War II in key battles such as Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Saipan.

Harold Phillips, a lifelong Burlington County resident, joined the Marines right out of high school in 1943, and went to Montford Point for Marine Corps boot camp. Harold went on to serve as a member of the Marine Corps' first African-American combat unit, the 51st Defense Battalion. Like other African American servicemen, he served during a period of considerable racial discrimination but persevered and his example paved the way for future generations of African Americans to serve their country honorably in the military.

I was proud to cosponsor H.R. 2447, a bill to grant the Congressional Gold Medal to the Montford Point Marines, which was signed into law November 23, 2011. For their dedicated service to our Nation, I hope Harold Phillips and the other Montford Point Marines will soon be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow.

Harold has lived a life of patriotism and service to his community, his state and his country. He is a pioneer who forged a path for future generations of African American men and women to serve their country in the Armed Services. I am proud to call Harold Phillips my constituent and I urge my colleagues to join me in thanking him for his service.

Madam Speaker, on March 6th, the state of New Jersey, and more specifically Newark and its surrounding communities, lost a dedicated public servant, Congressman Donald Payne.

Congressman Payne truly lived a life of service, first as an educator in the Newark and Passaic public school districts, an Essex County Freeholder, a member of the Newark Municipal Service, and finally as the first African-American Congressman from the state of New Jersey. Representative Payne's public service record was also dedicated to helping people through his volunteer work. His involvement with the Newark YMCA and Boy's and Girl's Club, showed his passion for helping children.

In Congress, Representative Payne played an instrumental role as an advocate in the treatment of AIDS and drug-resistant tuberculosis. His actions in Congress were always based on how he could best serve his constituents. Congressman Payne served as a role model for not only his district, but the entire State of New Jersey.

His love of service was only outdone by the love he had for his family, from his late wife, to his children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren. Congressman Payne will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to a true American hero. Harold Phillips of Moorestown, New Jersey, will soon be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his service in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Harold was a member of our Nation's first African American combat unit, the 51st Defense Battalion, at a time when discrimination pervaded our society. Harold has lived a life of patriotism and service to his community, his State and his country. He is a pioneer who forged a path for future generations of African-American men and women to serve their country in the Armed Services. I am proud to call Harold Phillips my constituent and I urge my colleagues to join me in thanking him for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroic and selfless actions of Officer Lauren Keilitz and Officer Michael Diblasi of the Barnegat Township Police Department in New Jersey's Third Congressional District.

At 8:44 p.m. on January 30, 2012, the Barnegat Township Police Department was dispatched to a reported car fire on Biscayne Road. Officers Keilitz and Diblasi responded and arrived to find a single motor vehicle fully engulfed in flames.

Shortly after arriving on scene, Officers Keilitz and Diblasi determined that the driver of the vehicle, Mario Dischiavi, was incapacitated in the driver's seat. Dischiavi was discovered by Officer Keilitz who was able to open the rear passenger door of the vehicle and observe Dischiavi through the thick smoke in the passenger compartment.

Officer Diblasi attempted to open the driver's door and could not get the latch to release, at which time he ran to retrieve a window punch from his patrol car in order to break the window and gain access.

Officer Keilitz, despite overwhelming heat and flames, was able to get the driver's door open and pull Dischiavi from the vehicle and drag him out of harm's way.

If it were not for the brave actions of these officers, the successful outcome surely would

have been different. Their choice to go above and beyond the call of duty, subjecting themselves to harm, to help a citizen in distress is the exemplary action that deserves this chamber's praise.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in honoring the heroic and courageous actions of Officers Lauren Keilitz and Michael Diblasi in their extraordinary lifesaving efforts.

I thank the chairman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 894, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011. S. 894 is the companion bill to H.R. 1407, which I introduced in April, which passed this Chamber, as amended, on May 23 by voice vote. S. 894 provides a cost-of-living adjustment equal to the cost-of-living adjustment being provided this year to Social Security recipients for veterans' disability compensation, veterans' clothing allowance, and compensation for veterans' survivors.

This is an annual bipartisan bill which has been scored by the CBO as having no additional budgetary impact. It is crucial to ensuring that benefits for disabled veterans and their families are sufficient to meet their needs. As chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, and the Member of Congress representing the district in New Jersey with the largest number of disabled veterans, I have heard from many veterans back home and in Washington about the importance of this needed legislation.

This cost-of-living adjustment is tied to an increase in the consumer price index, which has not increased in the last 2 years. S. 894's increase in the COLA for 2012 reflects rising inflation rates in our volatile economy and is necessary to ensure the well-being of America's returning veterans who have honorably served our country and protected our rights and freedoms.

I am pleased this bill is the first piece of legislation I had the honor of introducing as a Member of this Congress, and I can think of no greater priority or commitment that our country owes than to those who have bravely worn the uniform and defended all that we hold dear as a nation.

I want to thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Filner for bringing this companion bill to the floor quickly. I would also like to thank Speaker Boehner for his support in bringing this bill to a swift vote. I urge all Members to support S. 894.

Mr. Chairman, thank you again.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2349, as amended, the Veterans' Benefits Training Improvement Act of 2011.

There are several components to this legislation, and they are all aimed towards ensuring the veterans' benefits process is more efficient, accountable, and fair for all veterans and their families.

The first piece of this legislation addresses the minimalist approach that the VA has adopted in complying with its employees' skill certification mandate. This section will reverse the current trend within the VA of using the employment certification process solely to increase an employee's pay grade by introducing a pilot program to conduct a biennial assessment for all claims processors and managers. The key to this program's success will be individualized remediation. This will facilitate individual accountability of employees while addressing disparities in experience and training at the pilot sites and eventually throughout the VA.

Section 3 prevents the offset of pension benefits for veterans and their family members due to the receipt of payments by insurance or settlements to reimburse expenses incurred after an accident or theft. This will be accomplished by exempting reimbursements of expenses related to accident, theft, loss, or casualty loss from determinations of annual income.

The next section implements the use of electronic communication within the VA to provide notices of responsibility to claimants. This also removes the administrative provisions which have slowed down the process for veterans' disability claims. In total, this section will increase efficiency and help modernize the VA by authorizing the most effective means available for communication while simultaneously removing administrative redtape.

Section 5 clarifies the meaning of the VA's duty to assist claimants in obtaining evidence needed to verify a claim. As a result, this section establishes a clear and reasonable standard for private record requests as ``not less than two requests.'' In addition, this section will encourage claimants to take a proactive role in the claims process. This, in turn, will have the positive effect of reducing the claims backlog over the long term.

Section 6 corrects a serious concern which has curtailed the Second Amendment rights of many VA beneficiaries. Due to unclear and improper statutory language, under the current system, veterans seeking help managing their financial affairs are categorized as mentally defective. They are then entered into an FBI database which prohibits their ability to legally obtain a firearm. This section would restore these veterans' constitutional rights by requiring such determinations to be made by a judge, magistrate, or other judicial authority to properly determine whether such veterans are, in fact, mentally defective for the purposes of obtaining a firearm.

Section 7 of this bill is designed to protect the veterans from being charged excessive fees for aid in submitting applications to the VA for benefits. Since 2006, there has been an increase in non-accredited individuals,

organizations, and private companies that have been taking advantage of veterans by charging fees to assist them with filing claims for veterans' benefits with the VA.

This section reinstates criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees for preparation and filing veterans claims with the VA.

The final section addresses the unrestrained government spending on the part of the VA, which is currently permitted to offer pay increases and bonuses to managers and employees who had been cited for mismanagement and poor performance. At a time when our government must be especially prudent in its management of debt, this section establishes caps for bonuses and performance awards to VA's most senior employees at $2 million a year, a reduction from $3.5 million.

It has been an honor working with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to move H.R. 2349, as amended, forward. And I thank each Member for their tireless support on behalf of our honored veterans. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.