Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, due to a personal conflict, I was unable to make votes. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea on Roll Call No. 38; Pres on Roll Call No. 39; Yea on Roll Call No. 40; Yea on Roll Call No. 41; and Yea on Roll Call No. 42.

Mr. Speaker, due to a personal conflict, I was unable to make votes.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 43, and YEA on Roll Call No. 44

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 714, I call up the bill (H.R. 695) to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to establish a national criminal history background check system and criminal history review program for certain individuals who, related to their employment, have access to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendments thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I stand before you today to ask for your support to pass the fiscal year 2018 Defense Appropriations bill. It is past time that this essential, must-pass funding bill for our military be enacted into law. Congress must act responsibly and do its job to quickly get these dollars out the door and where they are needed as soon as possible.

The legislation before you provides $659 billion for defense, more than $60 billion above last year's levels. When combined with the almost $5 billion already enacted into law in December, this bill matches the top-line funding level in the final National Defense Authorization Act enacted into law.

All Federal dollars are not the same. We need to provide and prioritize national security after years of neglect and an increasingly dangerous international situation.

Nor can we continue to hold our troops hostage as leverage for unrelated issues. We are almost 4 months into fiscal year 2018, and our troops still don't have their funding. It is time that the Congress fulfill its responsibility to fund our troops at the levels needed.

It is time to lift the budget caps and enact a full-year Defense Appropriations Act so that our military can begin to rebuild. This bill does that by lifting the budget caps on defense and fully funding the Department at the top line already approved by the Congress in the National Defense Authorization Act.

It takes care of our troops by providing additional manpower and fully funding a 2.4 percent pay raise, and it provides additional funding for key readiness programs and robustly funds maintenance of equipment and facilities.

The bill includes specific investments in several areas, such as air superiority, $4.3 billion above request; shipbuilding, $1.6 billion above request; research and development, $10 billion above 2017; defense health, an additional $644 million for medical research; and grants forces fully equipped.

The bill also provides additional resources in a National Defense Restoration Fund in the amount of $28.6 billion to allow Secretary Mattis to begin investing in the new defense strategy now instead of waiting a full year.

This bill gives our military leaders the sufficient, sustainable, and stable funding they have told us, over and over again, that they need.

The House has done its job more than once to fund our troops at the levels they need only to have the Senate fail to act. Congress must step up and fulfill its most fundamental constitutional responsibility, which is to ensure that our troops have what they need to defend our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen), who is the chairman of the full committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), who is the chairman of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), the chair of the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter), chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee.

I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt), chairman of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Rothfus).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, as we conclude our remarks and, again, call for a vote on this very important bill, I want to express my respect and appreciation for the help of Ranking Member Visclosky, and certainly for the leadership of Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen. I have been fortunate to follow the chairman, as chair of Defense Appropriations, and I speak for all who serve on his committee, who look to him for leadership and respect him for his service. He is an extraordinary public servant and a model for us all, and we thank him.

Mr. Speaker, the time is long past for Congress to fulfill their duty. I urge all Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to one of Texas' truly selfless individuals, Rev. Stephen Jasso.

Father Jasso will soon retire from his position as pastor of All Saints Catholic Church, where he has been serving the Fort Worth community since 1994. Throughout his life, Father Jasso has been a tireless advocate for the poor, the dispossessed, immigiants, and members of his parish. It was in this capacity that I first met and befriended Father Jasso, and asked him to serve as a member of my Advisory Board. His advice and counsel over the years have been invaluable.

As the pastor of All Saints, Father Jasso has been instrumental in growing All Saints Catholic School, which is now serving students from across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Father Jasso's motto is ``the future is going to depend on being well educated and well trained.'' As a tireless champion of the importance of receiving a good education, Father Jasso tells students that ``leadership is not just something that happens . . . it's something you get ready for.''

Ask anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing him, and they will tell you stories about Father Jasso--how he was always there for people in need during the loss of a loved one, during challenging personal times, or in moments of serious health issues for family members and friends. Father Jasso has also been a strong advocate for immigrants, always urging those in power to treat diverse communities with dignity and respect. He has also been a man of action, serving on numerous non- profit boards and Fort Worth city task forces.

Father Jasso recently celebrated 50 years as a Franciscan friar. His lifelong commitment to serving others began while in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955, where he saw action in the Korean War as a Sergeant First Class in the First Armored Division. Father Jasso was called to the Franciscan Order in 1957 and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1965.

Please join me in thanking Father Jasso for his service and in wishing him well in retirement

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Brigadier General Christopher E. Finerty for his outstanding service to our country and congratulate him on his promotion to Brigadier General in the United States Air Force. General Finerty has worked closely with me, the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and across Capitol Hill to inform and advise the Congress so that we may ensure a strong and ready National Guard. He has also helped the Pentagon work more productively with Congress, promoting a strong and efficient national defense.

General Finerty has done this work selflessly. He quietly, but tenaciously advocates for the Chief of the National Guard Bureau's priorities to make the National Guard a ready, capable force for operations m the homeland and overseas.

General Finerty's promotion grows from a career of accomplishments and experience. Prior to becoming the head of the National Guard Bureau's Office of Legislative Liaison, where he works directly for the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Finerty was Vice Commander of the Air National Guard Readiness Center and simultaneously the Commander of the 201st Mission Support Squadron, which together oversee personnel and policy across the country. He has previous tours in the National Guard Bureau's legislative liaison office, the Air Force congressional budget liaison office, and on the Air National Guard staff. He logged over 3,300 hours piloting HH-60 rescue helicopters and flew 45 combat missions. General Finerty is a 1992 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy.

General Finerty dedicates all of his time and energy to his work, with two exceptions--his children, Ryan and Kate. General Finerty's first priority are his children, and no father could be more devoted. Kate and Ryan inspire and strengthen him

Please join me in congratulating General Finerty on his well-earned promotion and in expressing our gratitude for his selfless service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Major Jason Lee Schenck for his successful tenure as an Air Force Legislative Fellow in my office.

For the past year, Major Schenck has been a diligent, valued member of my staff. In my capacity as Chairwoman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I have come to rely on his advice and counsel on issues affecting the military. Major Schenck's insight, intellect and ability to clearly communicate complex issues were invaluable assets during his tenure on Capitol Hill.

While serving in my office, Major Schenck met and married Navy Commander Josephine C. Nguyen, MD, who was serving as a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow to Congressman Kevin Brady (TX-08).

Prior to his time on Capitol Hill, Major Jason Lee Schenck served as the Commander, 48th Comptroller Squadron and the 48th Fighter Wing Staff Agencies, Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. While stationed in the U.K., Major Schenck was responsible for managing a $215 million annual budget, overseeing pay services for over 6,400 personnel, and providing full spectrum financial management services in support of United States Air Forces in Europe's largest fighter wing.

Major Schenck is from Phillipsburg, New Jersey and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1996. After earning a Bachelor of Science, Business & Management, cum laude, from the University of Maryland, he received his commission in 2004 through the Air Force Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

Major Schenck's presence in my office will be missed by not only me, but by his coworkers as well. Please join me in thanking Major Schenck for his service, and in wishing him well in his new endeavor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this continuing resolution.

Our most solemn responsibility as Members of Congress is to provide for our Nation's security.

The world is more dangerous and unstable than at any time in recent history. The threat from North Korea grows each day. Russia continues to create instability in Ukraine, the Baltics, and the Balkans. Chinese is militarizing the South China Sea and modernizing their military at an alarming pace.

Meanwhile, ISIS and al-Qaida continue to spread their perverted version of Islam across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

We must send a clear message to our adversaries that our military is prepared to confront anyone who threatens us at any time.

A shutdown in the Department of Defense will only embolden our adversaries and threaten our national security. Our military needs stable, predictable, and timely funding to ensure it is prepared to meet the threats we face now and in the future.

Members demonstrated their commitment to rebuilding our military this past summer by passing the Make America Secure Appropriations Act, which included the defense appropriations bill for fiscal year 2018. Only a budget agreement that gives our men and women in uniform the funding they need and removes the threat of sequestration will provide them that certainty.

The House must pass this continuing resolution to allow time for an agreement to be reached that will fully fund our Nation's defense. Shutting down the government is not an option.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this very important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to make votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 635 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 636.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to make votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 607; YEA on Roll Call No. 608; and YEA on Roll Call No. 609.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to make votes.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 569, YEA on Roll Call No. 570, and YEA on Roll Call No. 571.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to make votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 562, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 563.

Mr. Speaker, due to personal reasons, I unfortunately missed votes on September 27th and September 28th.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 538, YEA on Roll Call No. 539, YEA on Roll Call No. 540, NAY on Roll Call No. 541, YEA on Roll Call No. 542, and YEA on Roll Call No. 543.

Mr. Speaker, due to a personal conflict, I was unable to make votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 530, and YEA on Roll Call No. 531.

Mr. Speaker, due to a personal conflict, I was unable to make votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 532, ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 533, ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 534, ``Nay'' on rollcall No. 535, ``Nay'' on rollcall No. 536, ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 537.

Mr. Chairman, today I rise in strong opposition to this amendment.

As a former chairwoman of the State, Foreign Operations Subcommittee, I worked very closely with the U.S. Institute of Peace. From firsthand experience, I can tell you how important their mission is. They send staff to some of the most volatile areas of the world to promote peace.

For instance, in Afghanistan, the Institute facilitated peaceful elections in 2014, despite Taliban calls for violence.

Also, in 2015, the Institute facilitated a local Sunni and Shia agreement in Iraq that averted bloodshed and let 380,000 internationally displaced people return home.

Let's not forget that it was under President Ronald Reagan that the Institute of Peace was created.

Funding the Institute of Peace is an important investment. It is for these reasons that I strongly urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment.