Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend, Sheriff Charles McDonald, who has served as a faithful law enforcement officer in Henderson County for over thirty years. With the support of his wife, Jennie, Sheriff McDonald has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the people of Henderson County and to the safety of our community.

Sheriff Charles McDonald served in the Navy for four years before beginning his public safety career in 1985 as a Patrol Deputy in Henderson County. Over the next 25 years, McDonald went on to serve as a Lieutenant in the Drug Enforcement Unit, Patrol Squad Lieutenant, SWAT Team Leader, Department Training Officer, Chief of Criminal Investigations, Sheriff's Command Staff, and Captain.

In June 2010, Sheriff Charles McDonald retired with 25 years of service in public safety until March 2012 when he was appointed by the Henderson County Board of Commissioners to the Office of Sheriff. After six years of faithful service, Sheriff McDonald will complete his duty in office on December 3, 2018.

Under Sheriff McDonald's leadership, the department has effectively combated illegal and prescription drug abuse in the Henderson County community through prevention efforts, education, and enforcement. During his tenure, over $4.3 million dollars in illegal drugs have been apprehended by the Henderson County Drug Unit since 2014. Additionally, 245 drug conspirators, traffickers, dealers, and users have been arrested and prosecuted. Sheriff McDonald has prioritized rehabilitation for inmates by encouraging education in life skills and providing addiction resources through private and non-profit programs.

Sheriff McDonald is highly regarded among his peers and has been recognized as a ``vetted instructor'' by the U.S. Department of State in ATA Counter Terrorism programs since the September 11th terrorist attacks. Sheriff McDonald has worked for private companies as a contract instructor concentrating in law enforcement tactical training and has served as an instructor abroad in South America and the Middle East on Counter Terrorism, Crisis Response, and Tactical Command training and planning.

His devotion to public safety has established him as a respected leader in Henderson County and Western North Carolina. On behalf of the people of North Carolina, it is my distinct honor to recognize Sheriff McDonald for his devoted service to his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Wayne R. Reynolds of Washington, D.C. Mr. Reynolds served as Chairman of the Ford's Theatre Society Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2012. I would like to acknowledge Mr. Reynolds for his dedication to expanding the Society's educational programming and for transforming Ford's Theatre into a center for learning dedicated to the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

Wayne R. Reynolds attended the University of California, Los Angeles for his undergraduate education, receiving a degree in economics in 1977 then continuing at Pepperdine Law School, where he earned his J.D. in 1981.

Mr. Reynolds serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the American Academy of Achievement. Through his hard work and vision, the Academy has expanded to include the Museum of the American Dream, the Achievement Television Network, and the annual International Achievement Summit. These organizations bring together leaders and scholars from diverse disciplines to share their experience with graduate students from across the globe.

The American Academy of Achievement's Salute to Excellence program has provided over 10,000 students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills. Many students who participated in the program have received scholarships through the Academy's sponsorship.

Wayne R. Reynolds is highly regarded among his peers and has received numerous awards, including the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service, the National Geographic Evening of Exploration Award, and the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery Founding Chairs Award. His dedication to promoting leadership and his devotion to President Lincoln's legacy have made him worthy of the high esteem that accompanies each of these awards. It is my distinct honor to recognize Mr. Wayne R. Reynolds' dedication to Ford's Theatre Society Board of Trustees and his commitment to creating a better future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Taiwan's National Independence Day, Double Ten Day. On October 10th, Taiwan celebrates the 107th anniversary of the Republic of China. In the face of heightening regional tensions, the bond between the United States and Taiwan must remain strong. On the occasion of Taiwan's National Day, I want to congratulate the people of Taiwan on this important anniversary and express the sincere commitment of our nation and this body to the bilateral relationship.

Through commerce, our military partnership, and the ties between our citizens, the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) have built an alliance which I am confident can withstand any future threats, and to which I know the Trump administration is committed to preserving. I also want to take this moment to commend the Americans serving in the American Institute in Taiwan for their patriotism and hard work advancing this relationship.

Furthermore, Beijing's attempts to undermine Taiwan's participation in international fora, its bullying of private airlines over recognition of Taiwan's government, and its disruption of Taiwan's diplomatic ties should not go unmentioned. I believe the current administration has responded appropriately and that Washington will continue to make its views known.

From its beginnings with the overthrow of imperial rule, to its embrace of a vibrant democracy today, the Republic of China (Taiwan) shares a bond with the United States founded on common principles. As Taiwan celebrates Double Ten Day, I extend my best wishes and congratulate the Taiwanese people for all they have achieved.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the pro-growth, pro-family, and pro-small business reforms in tax reform 2.0 led by my good friend Chairman Brady.

I want to say a special shout-out to him but also to the Ways and Means staff. Let me just tell you, a lot of times we take credit for things that are done, but it is the staff that has done not only a yeoman's job but an outstanding job in doing this. And a real shout-out to Representative Rodney Davis, the bill's sponsor, who believes that it is a good thing to give more of the taxpayers' money back to them.

You have heard arguments on the floor today, Mr. Speaker, all about revenue and about what this needs to do. But the revenue that we are talking about is actually the hardworking wages of men and women on Main Street. It is their money.

I have been around this place too long. I can tell you, I would rather trust a mom and dad on Main Street to spend their money more wisely than any spenders here in Washington, D.C. It is time that we give it back.

Since we signed the last tax bill, the largest in American history, the economy has been booming. Unemployment is at a 50-year low.

New job openings are setting a record pace. We are increasing wages. Consumer confidence, Mr. Speaker, is at its highest level in decades. And while these strong numbers continue to roll in, Congress needs to act to make sure that we are more resolved than ever to make these tax cuts permanent.

You know, we talk about a vibrant economy--4.2 GDP growth. According to some sources, it is now at 4.4. When we look at that kind of GDP growth and economic growth, it means increased wages, it means job security, and that is what we need to make sure that we put back on the docket today.

I ask my colleagues to vote for that. Vote for the men and women on Main Street.

Yes, they may call this tax reform 2.0, but what I call this is actually make sure that we are responsible in Washington, D.C., to give the money back to its rightful owner, which is we, the people.

Now, this indeed makes the tax cuts for individuals permanent, but it also

gives a whole lot of options for families saving for education and those baby savings accounts. It encourages small business development.

It is time, Mr. Speaker, that we act on behalf of those who are doing all the hard work here in America, those small businesses and men and women on Main Street who deserve a break from Washington, D.C.

I thank Chairman Brady and Rodney Davis for their leadership. I also look forward to working with them to deliver these tax cuts and make sure they are permanent.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 4457.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this afternoon I voted for final passage of the House Amendment to S. 1182--National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2018 (Roll No. 373). I intended to vote against final passage of this legislation.

Mr. Chair, I want to applaud my good friend from Alabama, Mr. Palmer, and my colleague from North Carolina, Mr. Walker, for their work on this particular amendment.

I couldn't disagree more with the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia. This is not about individual liberties. In fact, this amendment supports individual liberties. It keeps liens from being placed on property.

Quite frankly, Congress, overwhelmingly has supported repealing the individual mandate. And for some city to say that they are wanting to implement an individual mandate, it has nothing to do with healthcare. It has more to do with political statements.

And I can tell you that to have the particular initiative here in Washington, D.C., limit short-term health plans and, certainly, association health plans, it, again, is not about healthcare.

So I would encourage an adoption of the amendment and stand for liberty.

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

Mr. Chair, before I get into my amendment, I want to thank the chairman of the subcommittee and the entire staff for not only a very thoughtful bill that really requires very few amendments, but really working with Members of all different ideological stripes in our conference. And I look forward to being able to support this when it comes up for a vote tomorrow.

My amendment prohibits funds from being used by the Office of Personnel Management, better known as OPM, to administer the ObamaCare's multistate program.

ObamaCare required OPM to contract with health insurers to make multistate plans available to consumers in all the States, and D.C., by 2017.

Now, there is only one problem with that. There is only one State participating. And yet, here we continue to fund it.

The multistate plan program has failed to meet its statutory requirements. It has failed to generate competition in the healthcare marketplace. And it has failed to lower health insurance premiums.

According to OPM, the government has spent $53 million on administrative costs for this failed program. The evidence is clear: This program doesn't work and it is a waste of taxpayer dollars.

In fact, the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation said eliminating funding for this plan will not affect the levels of competition or premiums in the insurance markets, nor would it affect any ObamaCare subsidies.

So my amendment does not take funds away from OPM. It leaves more money for OPM to continue its other mission-critical programs without having to waste the time and resources on a poorly-functioning multistate plan program.

I have got letters from the OPM, Office of Personnel Management, who administers the plan, supporting the elimination of this program. I also have a letter from the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, better known as NARFE, who represent the interests of more than 5 million Federal employees and retirees and their survivors, supporting the elimination of this program.

So finally, this program is widely viewed by analysts on the both the left and the right as either a de facto public option or a plausible foundation for a future public option.

The House should vote overwhelmingly to do away with this, and I urge my colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, to do so.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have left?

Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman opposite with his articulation of opposition; but I find it

interesting because the last time I checked, he is not from Arkansas, which is the only State that actually is benefiting from this. And yet, his State, my State, and every other State is paying for this for the benefit. And I would use that word very liberally, because it is not really benefiting them. They just keep it there. It is not lowering premiums in Arkansas.

So at what time do we look at a failed Federal program and say enough is enough? I think that that day is today, and I urge all my colleagues to support this amendment.

I want to thank the gentleman for his leadership. I urge a vote in support of this particular amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exemplary career of Scott Brown, Chief of Police at the Lenoir Police Department, Caldwell County, North Carolina. I would like to express my appreciation to Chief Brown for over 32 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Western North Carolina.

Chief Brown's career in public service began as a telecommunicator for Caldwell County Sheriff's Office in 1987. He then joined the City of Lenoir's Police Department as a patrolman in 1989. Chief Brown went on to become a detective with the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office in 1990 and was promoted to both Patrol Sergeant and D.A.R.E Officer.

Chief Brown proudly rejoined the Lenoir Police Department in 1998 as the D.A.R.E. Officer and went on to serve as Sergeant, Lieutenant, and later took over the roles of Operations Division Commander, overseeing both the Patrol and Investigation Divisions as a Captain. He acted as the interim chief of police while being a Commander and was later selected to become the Chief of Police on April 23, 2012.

During Chief Brown's six years as Chief of Police, he has served the people of Lenoir with humility and honor. As an advocate for building up community relations with the Police Department, Chief Brown participated in and implemented several programs, including: Take 25, Take a Kid Fishing, Coffee with a Cop, Chat with the Chief, and the lunch buddy program in schools. He is known for treating every person he meets with respect and for being a kind and generous leader.

Under Chief Brown's leadership, the Lenoir Police Department expanded the Narcotics Investigation Unit to address opioid abuse, instigated the Narcan program, implemented department-wide Body Worn Cameras, and was named the 4th safest city in North Carolina in 2017. Chief Brown has been supported throughout his tenure as Chief of Police by his wife, Dawn, and his two children, Staff Sergeant Grayson Brown and Molly Brown.

Chief Brown has deeply impacted the lives of the people he has proudly served through his dedication to the citizens of Lenoir and his overwhelming involvement in the community. He has served well, and it is my distinct honor to recognize his outstanding work and express the best wishes of the people of Western North Carolina to Chief Brown on the occasion of his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 971, I call up the resolution (H. Res. 970) insisting that the Department of Justice fully comply with the requests, including subpoenas, of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the subpoena issued by the Committee on the Judiciary relating to potential violations of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act by personnel of the Department of Justice and related matters, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and add extraneous materials into the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a resolution that literally is about this institution. And when we look at this, it is about the Department of Justice and the FBI giving documents to this institution so that they can conduct proper oversight.

We have had months and months go by with multiple requests where those requests have been largely ignored by the Department of Justice.

It is time that the American people actually have the transparency that they deserve in being able to see these documents and let them judge for themselves what did or did not go on within the Department of Justice and FBI.

Mr. Speaker, Lady Justice should have a blindfold, and that means that justice should not be meted out to those that are well connected or well financed. It should be even in all regards.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Jordan).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments.

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

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

I would make one comment. It is interesting, when the gentleman opposite, Mr. Speaker, is talking about motives and what is designed by this when we have not had a conversation about that.

It is also interesting, when we talk about those very motives about an ongoing investigation, part of this request is asking for 10,000 pages of documents on an investigation that is already complete. I would think we would have the ability to get those from the Department of Justice.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his leadership on this particular issue, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

The reality of this is the very document that the gentlewoman from Texas put up, that 500-page report, is actually investigative conclusions based on 1.2 million documents, of which this body--this body--has received less than 24,000 pages of the same documents that she mentions. So all we are asking for is for us, the legislative body, and the American people, to be able to get the very same documents the Department of Justice has.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his leadership and tenacious spirit on this, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert), my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I might remind the Speaker and all those who are in this Chamber today that this is about this very fundamental principle of this institution being able to do oversight.

Since when is it not a good idea to have the documents from all agencies brought forth to this body so that the American people can judge for themselves?

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Garrett).

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask the Speaker if he would remind others that are in this well, that if they are really concerned about family reunification, I have a bill--and the gentleman opposite is certainly welcome to come in and cosponsor that bill--to reunify those.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Griffith), my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Virginia.

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

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we are trying to do. We are trying to do our job, and the gentleman opposite makes an eloquent speech about doing our job of proper oversight.

I can tell you, I have served on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee for 6 years. And in that 6 years, not only have we been tenacious in getting documents, but we have also had a responsive dialogue back and forth with many in the executive branch.

At what point do you do oversight if you can't get the very documents that we request? My friends on the other side of the aisle many times will talk about getting documents when it serves a particular political purpose that they want to espouse. And, yet, when we are talking about the fundamentals of this country, Lady Justice, and meting out justice without any favoritism, indeed, that is why we need the documents. That is why we are trying to do our job, and that is why this resolution is so critical.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Jody B. Hice), my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, obviously, the gentlewoman from California lays out an unbelievable claim that this is the lowest of low that has ever been seen in this body. I find that just remarkable that that statement could even be made.

The other issue is we are not asking for any special counsel documents. We are not asking for sources and methods. We are asking for the documents that we have a right, as this body, to see.

Transparency is a good thing, Mr. Speaker. Transparency is what the American people deserve. When we are talking about what it will do and what it will not do, yes, when we get these documents, we believe that it will do away with this whole fiasco of what they call the Russian- Trump collusion, because there wasn't any.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Davidson).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin).

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman opposite for his impassioned arguments and debate on this issue. I thank all of those who have come down to the floor today to stand up for this institution's right to provide proper oversight and conduct it according to the Constitution, but, more importantly, for good transparency. Transparency is a good thing, and I think it is high time that we do it.

For 8 months, Mr. Speaker, we have made a request of the Department of Justice. They have not fully complied. On March 22, 99 days ago, we sent a subpoena giving them 14 days. They did not comply. Two weeks ago, the Speaker of the House actually reached out and said, ``You have another week.'' They did not comply.

This is our last attempt to give them the benefit of the doubt that they have nothing to hide. They need to start acting like it, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life and memory of Dr. David O. Belcher, Chancellor of Western Carolina University. Dr. Belcher was a light in his community, always encouraging and pouring into the people around him through his passion for higher education, embodiment of service, and Catamount pride.

A native of Barnwell, South Carolina, Dr. David O. Belcher began his career as a faculty member at Missouri State University. Prior to arriving at Western Carolina University, he was Provost and Vice Chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Dr. Belcher began his tenure as Chancellor at Western Carolina University on July 1st, 2011. This date will be etched in WCU's history as a starting point for accelerated growth and positive change for the institution and Western North Carolina. Dr. Belcher crafted a 2020 Vision program to focus on the Western Carolina University's future, along with a development plan that has been essential to tremendous campus growth and transformation.

Dr. Belcher cared for the faculty, staff, and students of WCU, and took an active role of service in Western North Carolina. Dr. Belcher served on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Arboretum and the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Belcher also served on the Board of Trustees of Harris Regional Hospital and Swain County Hospital. Dr. Belcher was an accomplished pianist and brought joy to many with his enthusiasm. His passion, determination, kindness, and ceaseless energy will forever be imprinted on the hearts of those who knew him.

Dr. David O. Belcher will forever be highly regarded, remembered and loved amongst his

colleagues throughout the state of North Carolina, particularly at Western Carolina University. Dr. Belcher's wife, Susan Belcher, the Belcher family, and the community of Western Carolina University are in my prayers during this time. It was a privilege to know Chancellor Belcher and, on behalf of the people of Western North Carolina, I am honored to celebrate his life and recognize his many outstanding achievements.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his leadership on this particular initiative in managing this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5925, the CRISIS Act, a bill I cosponsored with Chairman Gowdy; my good friend, the ranking member, Mr. Cummings; as well as the ranking member of the Government Operations Subcommittee and good friend, Mr. Connolly.

I want to begin by thanking my colleagues for coming together on this bipartisan bill. H.R. 5925 reauthorizes the Office of National Drug Control Policy and gives the office greater responsibility by enhancing the office's authority to coordinate and oversee the national drug control program at the national, State, and local levels.

It provides communities with a process for sharing information and best practices, and implements recommendations from the President's opioid commission.

It requires an opioid response plan to coordinate with the private sector the implementation of the commission's recommendations and to facilitate the development of treatment and abuse-deterrent products.

Finally, this bill designates the United States Postal Service as a national drug control program agency and requires the office to coordinate actions to reduce the flow of illicit drugs entering the country through the mail.

The ongoing opioid epidemic has taken countless lives, touching literally every community in the country. The national response to this epidemic involves Federal, State, and local governments. It involves the treatment community, the medical community, the law enforcement community, and places of worship.

As we mobilize a national response, we must ensure that every effort to combat this epidemic works and works well. We have all heard too many tragic, life-changing, and, far too often, life-ending stories of opioid addiction.

There is no easy way to end this epidemic. By establishing an effective national response to this epidemic, this bill will support the people and the communities struggling with this addiction.

Mr. Speaker, it is the very lives of our friends, our neighbors, and our family members that depend on us.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

I would also like to go a little bit further, though, because so many times, when we come together in a bipartisan way, it is Members of Congress who are up here taking the credit for the hard work of a group that actually, behind the scenes, are doing the work. I thank all of the majority staff--Katy Rother, Richard Burkard, Betsy Ferguson, and Sarah Vance; and to Ranking Member Cummings' staff, for all of their work and dedication as well. And I also thank Sally Walker from the Office of Legislative Counsel. Many times, they do the work on the bills behind the scene and nobody ever sees them or thanks them. So, on this day, I want to make sure that we acknowledge their effort, that it doesn't go unnoticed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Forrest Jarrett, of Madison County, North Carolina. I would like to acknowledge Forrest for his outstanding love for mankind and conservation.

Forrest Jarrett was born on November 29, 1928 in Madison County, North Carolina. After graduating from Marshall High School in 1945, Forrest went on to obtain a Bachelor's of Science degree in Agriculture from Berea College in Kentucky in 1950.

After graduating from college, Forrest enlisted in the United States Army, serving in the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953. After his military service, Forrest became a ``relief watchman'' with Norfolk Southern Railroad Company in December 1953. He worked for Norfolk Southern for 37 years and retired in 1991. While working for the railroad, he played a significant role in creating the Norfolk Southern band, ``The Lawmen,'' which still performs today. Forrest and his wife, Alene, have raised two sons, Owen and Greg.

Growing up, Forrest developed a passion for hunting in the mountains of Western North Carolina. This passion has led him to be a proponent for conservation and wildlife protection. Forrest has helped organize an annual Wild Game Dinner fundraiser that supports various wildlife conservation efforts across North Carolina. Recently, the annual Wild Game Dinner in Asheville, North Carolina was renamed the Forrest E. Jarrett Wild Game Dinner for Wildlife Conservation in his honor.

Mr. Jarrett's dedication to preserving wildlife and his love for people has set him apart as a man well worthy of esteem and earned him the title of a faithful friend. It is my distinct honor to recognize Forrest's dedication to wildlife and conservation as the Forrest E. Jarrett Wild Game Dinner for Wildlife Conservation is named in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sheriff Jack Van Duncan of Buncombe County, North Carolina. I would like to express my gratitude to Sheriff Duncan for his 32 years of serving and protecting the citizens of Western North Carolina.

Sheriff Van Duncan was born in Spruce Pine, North Carolina and graduated from Mitchell County High School. Sheriff Van Duncan began his career in Law Enforcement in 1986, after graduating from Western Carolina University with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. Sheriff Van Duncan went on to graduate from the Administrative Officer's Management Program at North Carolina State University in 1993.

Over the course of his career, Sheriff Van Duncan has worked at the Weaverville and Asheville police departments, as well as the Biltmore Estate, where he served as chief of company police for six years. While with the Buncombe County Sheriff's office, he proudly served as a Patrolman, Patrol Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, and Detective during his years as a Deputy. He worked as an Instructor in the Management and Supervision Section for the North Carolina Justice Academy for two and a half years before being elected Sheriff in 2006. Sheriff Van Duncan has served as Sheriff for Buncombe County for 12 years.

Sheriff Van Duncan has had many accomplishments as Sheriff over the last 12 years. He earned the respect of his colleagues by leading with integrity and restoring good order within the Sheriff's Department. Not only that, he has been an innovator for helping the children in Buncombe County by starting the On Track Leadership Program to help rising eighth and ninth graders with good decision-making skills. He has also been instrumental in starting a juvenile diversion program that will help young people avoid obtaining a criminal record.

Sheriff Van Duncan has consistently displayed professionalism and candor during his time in office and focused on meeting the needs of the people in Buncombe County. He has deeply impacted the lives of the people he proudly served for 12 years, and it is my distinct honor to recognize his outstanding work and express the best wishes of the people of Western North Carolina to Sheriff Van Duncan on the occasion of his retirement.

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

Mr. Chairman, initiating an independent counsel investigation comes with many political and constitutional challenges.

These individuals were vested with full power and independent authority to exercise all investigative and prosecutorial functions and powers of the Department of Justice with respect to matters within their jurisdiction.

When the independent counsel statute was reauthorized in 1994, an amendment was made to the law requiring the Government Accountability Office to conduct periodic audits of independent counsel expenditures. This amendment gave Congress the ability to audit any and all independent counsel expenses and investigate how those taxpayer dollars were spent.

This is an important procedure that was repealed in 2010, and it is time Congress act to restore this key oversight provision. My amendment reestablishes the semiannual Government Accountability Office financial review of obligated expenditures from the independent counsel and requires the report's findings to be submitted to Congress.

While the work of an independent counsel is indeed important, it is just as important that we properly take account of where the hardworking American taxpayers' dollars go. So to ensure this accountability, I want to urge the passage of this amendment.

I want to take one personal privilege of thanking the fine work of Chad Yelinski.

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

Mr. Chairman, I find it very interesting that the gentleman opposite would claim to know my motives in that he has not talked to me about it.

I also find it very ironic that the gentleman makes the argument that my amendment does absolutely nothing and yet opposes it. So, indeed, if it does nothing, then I can't find any reason why he wouldn't support it.

So, Mr. Chairman, I would certainly urge the adoption of my amendment, and being the late hour that it is, I yield back the balance of my time

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

Mr. Chairman, the WRDA bill is an important bipartisan piece of legislation that provides for improvements to our Nation's water resources infrastructure, including ports and inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, and ecosystem restoration.

Mr. Chairman, I want to applaud my good friend, Chairman Shuster, for his leadership on moving forward with yet another WRDA bill through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; and I am so proud to serve on that committee under his leadership.

But seldom in Congress do things actually end up being like they were promised; and I can tell you, under the leadership of this chairman, not only are we voting on yet another WRDA bill, but we are doing it in a transparent, policy-focused manner. And it is this return to regular order that the chairman has truly encouraged so many of his members, not only on the committee, but off the committee.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment adds one provision to this important bill: It directs the Secretary of the Army to prioritize the operation and maintenance of existing infrastructure and improve their reliability. The last thing the taxpayers want to do is spend needlessly money on expensive new infrastructure if the existing roadways, highways, bridges, ports, airports, water and sewer systems are aging and in disrepair.

We have heard all of this before from a number of our stakeholders and, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers, if America fails to invest in its existing ailing infrastructure by 2025, the U.S. economy can be

expected to lose almost $4 trillion in Gross Domestic Product, resulting in a loss of some 2.5 million jobs.

Therefore, as we look at this legislation, it is critically important that we repair, rebuild, and modernize the infrastructure we have.

I urge support of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.