Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Head Start, a program which serves many Kansas families and children to be prepared for modern education.

Many supporters of Head Start came to Capitol Hill today to spread a message, which I believe wholeheartedly: everyone should have the opportunity to pursue the American Dream. For so many, that starts with quality education and Head Start.

We know the importance of getting kids exposed to learning at young ages, but many disadvantaged families lack the resources to do this for their own children. Without Head Start, these

children are at risk of falling behind and never catching up.

Mr. Speaker, I believe this issue should unite this Congress. It goes without saying that this is a time of deep divisions in our country. My district encompasses all aspects of American society, from urban to suburban to rural. My constituents have a wide range of beliefs and ideals. Head Start is something that can bridge these divides, and it can help children and communities no matter where they live.

Mr. Speaker, let's build that bridge and let's bring lawmakers from all across the country together in support of these children, in support of Head Start.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which was observed this week in honor of the contributions countless men and women in uniform have made to keep our communities safe and secure.

This year's observance was particularly difficult for our Kansas community. Over the last year, three police officers in my district made the ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty. Brad Lancaster, Dave Melton of Kansas City, and Brandon Collins of Overland Park each lost their lives while protecting our community.

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is a day to remember them and to honor the men and women who remain in the field each day keeping our children and families safe. They are the ones who run into danger when others run away. They are the true heroes, and we should always regard them as such. It is also a day to honor the United States Capitol Police to keep Congress, our staff, and our visitors in this very Chamber safe.

Mr. Speaker, let us never forget the service and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers, and let us continue to honor them with the gratitude and respect they deserve.

``No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops, or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another State, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity and support for one of America's greatest friends and allies, but one the Obama administration has sadly abandoned in its last days in office: the State of Israel.

Since September of 2015 alone, in Israel, 42 people have been killed in terrorist attacks, and 602 people, including four Palestinians, have been injured. Yet, last month, the United Nations Security Council felt the need to condemn Israel with a misguided resolution the United States should have vetoed.

In fact, as long as Israel has been part of the U.N., it has been treated with little respect and almost openly disdained. In 2016, there were more resolutions regarding Israel at the U.N.

than there were regarding Syria, North Korea, Iran, South Sudan, and Russia combined. That is simply an unacceptable way to treat the only peaceful democratic state in the region.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join together in sending a strong, bipartisan message this week to rebuke this misguided resolution so we can get back on a path to a peaceful solution to conflict in the Middle East.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the President's budget proposal which was released yesterday.

While I appreciate the President putting forth his vision for the future of our Nation, that vision is neither one that our Nation can afford, nor one that I can support.

Each year, the President brings us a budget that increases spending, raises taxes, and seeks trillions upon trillions of new debt upon our great Nation. If the Republican-led House had agreed to these budget requests, our Federal Government would be 20 percent larger today.

This year, the President's budget proposal proposes another $8.5 trillion in deficits that will push our debt to well over $26 trillion in the next 10 years, slowing our economy and leaving the next generation with the legacy of higher taxes and less opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, we must work together--Democrats and Republicans--to balance our budget by cutting wasteful spending, holding the line on spending increases, reforming programs, and reducing the size of government.

Kansans know and the American people know that a leaner, more efficient and effective government is critical to strengthening our economy and creating prosperity and opportunity for every American.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today humbled and thankful for the opportunity to represent the people of the great State of Kansas for a third time.

As we begin the 114th Congress, we start with renewed optimism for a fresh start for the American people. I am proud to join my colleagues here in the people's House from both sides of the aisle from across our great Nation as we work together to try to repair this institution and to represent the voices of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, last week we took steps to create jobs and unleash our economy by authorizing construction of the Keystone pipeline, rolling back job-killing portions of ObamaCare, and helping our heroic veterans get back to work.

This week we will move decisively to stop the flow of illegal immigration into our country and to reestablish the rule of law and to adhere to the Constitution that governs our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, the American people are counting on us. Now is the time for bold leadership to do great things. Now is the time for the people's House to rise to the challenge and to stand up for the American people.

Section 2:

``The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.''

Amendment XVI:

``The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.''

Mr. Speaker, with each new day brings new opportunities for our Congress to work together and solve problems on behalf of the American people.

As the 113th Congress comes to a close, we do so leaving almost 400 bills that have passed the people's House that we sent to the Senate which create jobs, reduce government waste, and support investment in our Nation's future; yet these bills were never even considered or voted upon by the Senate, and they were never heard from again.

As evidenced by the recent elections, the American people reject this blatant partisanship, they reject the dysfunction of the Senate, and they reject the unilateral action by the executive branch to run roughshod over the voice of the people.

As the national debt soared past $18 trillion last week, we were reminded that it is time to roll up our sleeves and get to work to reduce spending and balance our budgets, to promote energy independence, and to create jobs and grow our economy, to fix our broken immigration system, and to ensure the safety and security of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, we know there is much work to be done. As we turn to hopeful optimism for the next Congress, let's turn the page together, and let's renew our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Achieving Better Life Experience Act, commonly known as the ABLE Act.

In our Nation, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to realize their dreams, that each American should be able to have the tools and capabilities to build a bright future. Yet millions of families in our country struggle with the challenges of raising children with special needs like autism and Down syndrome.

The ABLE Act doesn't put more burdens on the government or grow bureaucratic Federal programs; rather, it provides families with the opportunity to invest their own earnings in the care for their disabled children, like education, transportation, and other tools that help prepare their children for a future of independent living, without having to be taxed on those savings. These flexible savings tools will help families maintain greater financial security as they strive to raise their children to contribute to society in productive ways.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues in the House to stand up for these families, like Rachel Mast and her family in Kansas, to ensure that we do everything to fight for their future, too.

Mr. Speaker, recent insecurity throughout the world is a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in defending our Nation against those who wish to attack us and destroy our American values.

Tomorrow is the 13th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and once again, we pause to remember the innocent lives lost at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the heroes on Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

We also pay tribute to the brave men and women who answered the call of duty and have courageously joined the Armed Forces to serve our Nation and fight the global war on terror.

September 11, 2001, changed our great Nation. It awakened us to the ever-present threat by those who wish to attack our country and our citizens, but it also stiffened our resolve and unified our Nation. Immediately after the horrific attacks, we came together as a nation, American spirit running high, and we emerged determined and stronger than ever before.

As we combat today's threats, our American spirit is enduring, and our leadership in the world is the strongest tool we have against terror.

God bless America.

Mr. Speaker, the Sunflower State has a long and proud history of Kansans answering a call of duty to serve their country. From pre-Civil War battles to keep Kansas a free State, to brothers joining arms to fight for democracy in wars around the globe, to today's battles fighting terrorism in remote and dangerous places, Kansans proudly step up to serve when asked, time and time again.

Kansas is now home to more than 220,000 veterans, courageous men and women who have honored our Nation by sacrificing and serving; yet, sadly, our Nation does not always honor them. I have been heartbroken to see how some of our veterans are treated when returning home from service.

Mr. Speaker, it is past time that Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate, unite on legislation that would fix the problems in the VA, that would give our veterans in long waiting lines options to receive quicker and better care when needed and legislation that would ensure that adequate resources are available to care for posttraumatic stress disorder and other injuries sustained in today's battles.

Mr. Speaker, our veterans have honored and fought for us. How about we, as a Congress, honor and fight for them.

Mr. Speaker, Senator Bob Dole, born and raised in Russell, Kansas, and a graduate of the University of Kansas, has spent his life in the service of the American people and today remains the embodiment of public service. On Tuesday, Kansans from all across the Sunflower State wished him a happy 91st birthday.

Senator Dole enlisted in the Army once the U.S. entered World War II and was stationed in Italy. While leading an assault on a German machine gun nest, Senator Dole's unit was heavily fired upon.

Without hesitation, Senator Dole courageously returned to help rescue an injured radioman--he, himself, suffering life-threatening injuries. Many Army medics didn't think Senator Dole would survive.

With a strong spirit and steadfast resolve common to many Kansans, Senator Dole not only survived, but he returned home to the Sunflower State and spent many years in elected service on behalf of Kansans, including in the State house, as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and runs as Vice President and President of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great sense of pride to that I wish my good friend and fellow Jayhawk, Senator Bob Dole, a happy 91st birthday and many more to come.

Happy birthday, Senator Dole.

Mr. Speaker, the House Appropriations Committee has been busy doing the hard work the American people expect, working in a bipartisan way to pass the needed appropriations bills required to fund the various agencies and programs in our Federal Government.

We have focused on reducing and reforming spending, while prioritizing funding for important programs--for job training, cancer research, and veterans' programs--while holding the line on out-of- control government waste.

With the passage this week of the House Financial Services Appropriations bill, led by Chairman Crenshaw, we will have passed seven of the 12 required appropriations bills across the House floor. We will continue our work to finish the job.

Mr. Speaker, as my House colleagues on both sides of the aisle do the hard work to control spending and reform government programs, sadly, the Senate has yet to take up one spending bill. As the September 30 deadline approaches, I thank my House colleagues, and hope springs eternal that the Senate someday may take up a spending bill under regular order.

Mr. Speaker, the House is back in session to continue our work, but millions of hardworking Americans still find it difficult to get those good-paying jobs to keep their American Dreams alive.

Small businesses, responsible for two-thirds of all new jobs created in our economy, continue to struggle to stay afloat. That is why the House must pass pro-jobs legislation to provide economic opportunities for all Americans to succeed.

As you know, Mr. Speaker, we have passed 40 bills that reduce red tape for businesses, lower electric bills for American families, cut regulatory burdens, and reform the Tax Code. Sadly, these bills are held up in the Senate.

Now, we can continue to help hardworking Americans by passing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act--bipartisan legislation that promotes needed job skills training for high-demand jobs, streamlines burdensome Federal mandates, reduces administrative costs and unnecessary bureaucracy, and provides more accountability when spending tax dollars.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense legislation. These are the kinds of pro- growth, pro-jobs bills the American people expect from their Congress.

Madam Speaker, I rise this morning to ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating my grandmother Edna Yoder's birthday.

Born on June 28, 1911, my grandmother will turn 103 on Saturday, and I couldn't be prouder of her. She and my grandfather, Orie Yoder, spent their lives working on a farm and raising their four children, including my father, Wayne Yoder. She is a very principled and humble woman who believes strongly in her family and her faith.

Over the past 103 years she has lived through the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and two world wars, to name a few. She has seen a lot, and to this day tells great stories, has a wonderful and cheery sense of humor, and, of course, dispenses plenty of advice.

Each day when I get up in a nation of prosperity and freedom, I think of my grandmother and people of her generation who worked themselves to the bone, who helped build this great country so that their children and children's children would have the opportunity to realize their dreams.

Today, my grandmother spends her time working puzzles, playing games, playing in the bell choir, and, of course, keeping up with her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren.

Grandma, happy 103rd birthday to you.