Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Student Success Act and want to commend Chairman Kline and my Hoosier colleague, Mr. Rokita, for their good work on this important bill.

Few laws have been used as a political punching bag by Members of both sides of the aisle quite as much as the No Child Left Behind law. Much of that criticism is deserved.

The Student Success Act moves us past No Child Left Behind, improves on this law's important progress, and provides relief from the law's most onerous and harmful mandates. It restores local control of our public schools, empowers teachers, parents, and students, and gets Washington out of the way. This bill eliminates 70 duplicative programs and prohibits the DOE from implementing a national common core curriculum. Most importantly, it puts parents and students first.

As a longtime proponent of school choice, I am pleased this bill expands charter school opportunities. We hear a lot of excuses about why students shouldn't have more educational choices, but the truth is that no child should be forced to attend a school where they have no chance to succeed.

The Student Success Act recognizes the truth that, when parents have a choice, kids have an opportunity. More can and should be done, but this bill eliminates the worst of No Child Left Behind. It restores local control of our public schools, and it empowers teachers and parents. It deserves our support.

ObamaCare is not working. The American people know that. Now, it seems President Obama knows that, too.

The President's unilateral decision to violate the law and delay the employer mandate postpones some of the law's worst damage for businesses. Fundamental fairness dictates that individuals get the same reprieve. Some say delay gives the administration time to get it right. I say no amount of time will fix what's wrong with this job-killing law.

Each day this law is delayed gives us more time to seek its total repeal. We must protect as many people as possible from the pain this Big Government behemoth is inflicting on our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the wonderful work of the Children's Advocacy Center of Southeastern Indiana.

On July 15, 2013, the Region 15 Children's Advocacy Center, serving the families of Dearborn, Decatur, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, and Switzerland Counties, will celebrate the completion of the Center's 1,000th forensic interview. These child-friendly forensic interviews are critical in identifying cases of mental or physical child abuse. Using non-leading and age-appropriate questions, a forensic interview uncovers the child's reality, in their own words, about the situation and is the most efficient means of providing support and accuracy to the criminal justice and child welfare systems in our State. For nearly a decade, my mother served as a court appointed special advocate for children in abuse cases, and I appreciate how important the child's perspective is to a positive court outcome.

In particular, I want to recognize the leadership of the Children's Advocacy Center of Southeastern Indiana. Executive Director Sarah Brichto and forensic interviewer Stephanie Back, both founding members of the Center, provide daily leadership and execution of the program's goals. I also want to extend special recognition for the vision of the Center to Board of Directors President Aaron Negangard and fellow board members Tom Baxter, Chad Lewis, Monica Hensley, Richard Hertel, Jennifer Tackitt, and Barbara Bowling. Their influential contribution to our local communities is truly inspirational.

I ask the entire 6th Congressional District to join me in congratulating the Children's Advocacy Center of Southeastern Indiana for their continued leadership in developing safer communities for all Hoosier children.

Four days. In 4 days, interest rates on student loans will double if nothing is done. A bill to stop that from happening passed this House last month. But the President and the Senate refused to do anything but posture. The truth is we don't disagree by much. The House plan mirrors a plan put forward by the President. Both plans use market rates. Both plans seek a long-term solution. But politics is getting in the way. And that is wrong.

Our plan gets politicians out of the student loan business. And that is good for students. America's students deserve affordable rates, not schoolyard antics. Let's work together and stop the rate hike.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the City of Richmond, Indiana.

This week, Indiana Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann announced the city of Richmond, joined by Bedford, Indiana, as the newest Indiana Stellar Community award winners. Launched in 2011, Stellar Communities is a collaboration among multiple State agencies that pool funding sources to assist winning communities in achieving their long-term comprehensive strategic goals for community development.

Richmond's winning proposal included positively enhancing the quality of life for residents through the addition of new senior housing, improved transportation and bike trails, downtown redevelopment, and increased Wi-Fi connectivity.

These grants are an excellent integration of local initiatives and state agency expertise to develop and build stronger communities. I commend the Richmond Mayor, Sally Hutton, and her office's leadership in developing a winning proposal for the City.

I ask the 6th Congressional District to join me in congratulating the leadership, businesses, and citizens of the city of Richmond for their newest designation as an Indiana Stellar Community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the powerful voice of Janelle Bedel of Rushville, Indiana.

Janelle Bedel was diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma on May 1st of 2007. Since her diagnosis, and throughout her treatments, Janelle has been a tireless and strong messenger for mesothelioma and asbestos awareness. Mesothelioma is a cancer most commonly caused by exposure to asbestos fibers.

In recognition for Janelle's advocacy efforts in the community, the City of Rushville designated June 6th, 2013 as Janelle Bedel ``Wonder Woman'' Day. The city will also embrace Janelle's message on the urgent need for additional asbestos awareness by recognizing September 26th as Mesothelioma Awareness Day, which will coincide with the National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.

In addition, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization is joining in the recognition for Janelle's online and community awareness efforts by awarding her with the organization's Alan Reinstein Award, which is the highest honor ADAO presents. The ADAO works to eliminate asbestos disease through national education and advocacy efforts.

I ask the 6th Congressional District and entire State of Indiana to join me in keeping Janelle and her family in our thoughts and prayers and in celebration of her continued efforts to raise awareness among our communities about the impact of this disease.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the newest addition to the Hoosier roster of designated National Historic Landmark sites, The Republic building in Columbus, Indiana.

The Republic building, which houses the city's local newspaper The Republic, was designated as the City of Columbus' seventh National Historic Landmark on October 16, 2012 by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. In the designation, the Interior Department noted the significance of the building as ``an exceptional work of modern architecture and one of the best examples of the work of Myron Goldsmith, a general partner in the firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and a highly respected architect, architectural theorist, writer and educator.''

In the application for the National Historic Landmark designation, it was noted that ``The Republic was a model for many of the ideas that shaped Columbus' downtown over the next several years . . . Forty years after it was completed, it remains a simple, simultaneously strong and elegant representation of the Modern style.''

Columbus enjoys a rich history of significant works of architecture. The Republic joins six other instances of contemporary architecture designated as National Historic Landmarks, including the First Christian Church, the North Christian Church, the First Baptist Church, the McDowell Adult Education Center, the Miller House, and the former Irwin Union Bank and Trust building. With only 2,500 historic landmarks in the country, Columbus is notable for its unique concentration of nationally important landmarks.

I ask the 6th Congressional District to join me in congratulating the leadership, businesses, and citizens of the city of Columbus for their visionary leadership in architectural design and dedication to keeping these national landmarks living monuments to a shared history and prosperous future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of the Indiana Fever, my home-state WNBA team.

The Indiana Fever won the 2012 WNBA championship over the Minnesota Lynx, the first in the history of the franchise. This Fever team embodied the best of Hoosier basketball with a toughness and team effort that won fans over across the State. I was thrilled to join the team on June 14th as President Obama welcomed the newest champions in professional basketball to the White House.

Led on the court by Finals MVP Tamika Catchings and All-Star and Purdue University graduate Katie Douglas, the Fever won in postseason play with a strong defense and a never say quit mentality that helped them overcome adversity. These players overcame significant injuries and came together as a team to win the title after a regular season record of 22-12. Credit for this outstanding leadership goes to Head Coach Lin Dunn, a great ambassador of the game.

Owner Herb Simon, President Jim Morris, Chief Operating Officer Rick Fuson, and President and General Manager of Fever Basketball Kelly Krauskopf deserve special recognition for their leadership of this franchise from expansion team to WNBA Champions. We are lucky to have these leaders, coaches, and players so highly invested in our community.

I join the entire 6th district and Hoosiers across the State in congratulating the Indiana Fever for a fantastic and thrilling 2012 championship season. Fever fans statewide are looking forward to what this talented team will achieve this season.

I want to thank my good friend from Georgia (Mr. Collins) for recognizing me and for leading this Republican freshman class Special Order on the need for regulatory reform.

I also want to commend him and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho) for their initiative in creating the Freshman Regulatory Reform Working Group, of which I am pleased to be a member.

A recent editorial written by George Washington University Professor Jonathan Turley declared that:

Our carefully constructed system of checks and balances is

being negated by the rise of a fourth branch, an

administrative state of sprawling departments and agencies

that govern with increasing autonomy and decreasing

transparency.

The voice of the American people is marginalized when this so-called fourth state of government, our Federal agencies, fail to follow the wishes of their elected representatives or make policy in the absence of direction by Congress. And the American people are paying the price of this regulatory maze created by this unelected government.

For example, the Heritage Foundation has found that annual regulatory costs increased by more than $23.5 billion during President Obama's fourth year in office. The total cost of regulations during the President's first term were nearly $70 billion, a level unmatched by any previous administration.

It's time to unshackle America from the stranglehold these regulations have on our economy.

I again want to thank Mr. Collins and Mr. Yoho for leading efforts among the freshman Republicans to eliminate and streamline burdensome Federal regulations. I look forward to working with them and all Members of the House to help create jobs by allowing America's businesses to grow and innovate by reining in the unelected bureaucracy standing in their way.

I would just add, sometimes I think this comes from both sides. In other words, there are times when laws passed by Congress are intentionally vague so that the bureaucracy steps in and leaders are able to say, Hey, blame it on those regulators.

I think we have a responsibility to make sure that we're making laws specific enough and simple enough to be understood by the American people.

Madam Speaker, ``Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.'' Ben Franklin uttered those words several hundred years ago, but his warning is still relevant today.

Reports that the National Security Agency has been monitoring the phone records and Internet activities of ordinary citizens should concern every American.

The President has said that these surveillance programs don't involve listening to people's phone calls or reading their emails. Americans want to believe their President. Yet his tax agency lied about targeting conservative groups and his Justice Department spied on reporters who were just doing their job.

As a Nation, we would be wise to heed Ben Franklin's advice and make sure that there is a bright line between acceptable counterterrorism activities and unacceptable violations of our fundamental rights.

I rise today to honor the accomplishments of the Indiana Pacers, my home-state NBA team.

The Indiana Pacers reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, their first appearance in the Conference Finals since 2004. This 2013 Pacers team embodied the best of Hoosier basketball with a toughness and energy that was exciting to watch. As a long-time fan of the Indiana Pacers, I am thrilled to see the level of competitiveness and talent in this young team.

Led on the court by All-Stars Paul George and Roy Hibbert, the Pacers had one of the best defenses in the League, holding teams to only 90.7 points per game. Joined by hometown-product George Hill, Lance Stephenson, and David West, the Pacers starting-five came together as a team to win the Central Division with a regular season record of 49-32. Credit for this outstanding player development goes to Head Coach Frank Vogel, a great ambassador of the game.

Owner Herb Simon, President Jim Morris, and President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh deserve special recognition for their leadership of this franchise and for reconnecting it with Pacers fans from all over the State. We are lucky to have these leaders so highly invested in our community.

I join the entire 6th District and Hoosiers across the State in congratulating the Indiana Pacers for a fantastic and thrilling 2012- 2013 season. Pacers fans statewide are looking forward to what this talented team will achieve next season.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the grand opening of the new Milan '54 Hoosiers Museum in Milan, Indiana. On a cold March night in 1954, the Milan High School boy's basketball team captured the state boy's basketball title, defeating an opponent from a school roughly ten times its size. In doing so, this tiny school secured its place in Hoosier sports history. The movie Hoosiers shared their story with the world thirty-four years later and captured the imagination of a nation.

The museum in Milan will be an asset for the community and honor the memories of its coaches and players. The Milan Indians proved that heart matters more than size and that hard work, determination, and perseverance can overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. They achieved greatness that should serve as an example for us all. I am proud to represent Milan in Congress and share the inspirational story that brings pride to all Hoosiers.

The First Amendment is under attack in Madison, Indiana. One of my constituents, Bill Grote, is a profile in courage as he litigates against the government's attempt to force him to violate his First Amendment rights and comply with ObamaCare's contraceptive mandate. Churches deserve protection from this mandate, but private businesses and business owners deserve protection, too.

Mr. Grote is not alone. Some businesses may choose to close their doors instead of complying. Others may be fined out of business. Ask yourself: If the Federal Government can make Mr. Grote purchase products in violation of his religious beliefs, what can it do to you?

I applaud Mr. Grote's courage and urge the House to pass the Health Care Conscience Rights Act to stop this attack on religious liberty.

Mr. Speaker, it's 2013, and the world is full of successful women, women like my mother, who raised her two sons on her own while working at the Delta Faucet factory in Greensburg.

Some women, like my wife--a successful full-time lawyer and a successful full-time mother--balance career with family and still find time to celebrate good report cards, birthday parties, and family vacations.

Last week, a national debate broke out over reports that 4 out of 10 households now have women as the lead breadwinner. I live in and grew up in two such households.

Strong women are central to today's family, and that is a good thing. I look forward to a time when statistics about the success of women are no longer newsworthy.

I would like to thank Chairman Kline for his hard work on this bill. I'd also like to thank Subcommittee Chairwoman Foxx for her hard work.

I rise today in support of H.R. 1911, the Smarter Solutions for Students Act.

This debate is about a fundamental question: Who do you trust more-- the promises of Big Government or the private market setting rates in the marketplace?

I believe we must return to a market-based policy rather than keeping Congress in the business of fixing interest rates by throwing darts at a dart board.

Let me make two simple points to this Chamber. First, markets work. The President has recognized this, Education Secretary Duncan has recognized this. They both have called for a return to market-based rates and policies on our student loan interest. Families deserve the security of knowing that the marketplace will be setting their interest rate, not the results of the next mud wrestling match in Congress.

We've heard a lot of rhetoric on the other side of the aisle about how rates will rise if we change this policy. Lost in that rhetoric is the fact that over the course of the last decade there have been times where interest rates would have been much lower had we had a market- based approach to interest rates.

In 2002, student groups lobbied Congress to set student loan interest rates at a fixed 6.8 percent, beginning in the 2006 academic year. At that time, rates on student loans were variable and at historically low levels. However, student groups believed that a 6.8 rate would result in a better deal. It turned out they were wrong. Through that period, interest rates--had we stayed at a variable rate--would have been 2.36 percent. I don't think it's fair to those families that accumulated loans during those times that we had the government in the way.

The second point I think that needs to be made in this debate is that while we need to have low interest rates for students--and we're all concerned and want to make sure they don't rise--the real threat to young people in this country is not a few dollars on their interest loans.

The real threat is the explosive growth of debt in this country, the fact that we are adding $1 trillion of debt each year, $6,800 of debt per taxpayer each year. It's dragging down our economy and hurting our ability to create jobs.

Let's return to commonsense policy on interest rates. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1911.