Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent--Mr. Bernard Fuller. I am honored to congratulate Mr. Bernard Fuller, a teacher at Graham Middle School in Alamance County, North Carolina. Mr. Bernard Fuller is a 2016-2017 recipient of the Outstanding Special Education Teacher of the Year Award by the National Association of Special Education Teachers. This award was presented to 16 teachers across the nation and Mr. Fuller is the only teacher to earn the honor from North Carolina. Mr. Fuller has demonstrated a passionate commitment by developing special skills and going the extra mile for his remarkable students. He is an exceptional example for his

colleagues in Graham and teachers everywhere. I join with his friends, family, and the Sixth District in congratulating Bernard Fuller on this excellent accomplishment.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to announce the introduction of the Universal Charitable Giving Act. Many Americans believe that people, not the government, offer the best solutions to solve the ailments that face our society. Strong families, strong churches, and strong communities are the foundations of our Nation. By supporting charities, we can make our communities and our country a better place for Americans from all walks of life.

Giving to charity is crucial for economic prosperity, happiness, and the success of our people, but for too long only the most wealthy have been incentivized to give to the causes they believe in.

The Universal Charitable Giving Act incentivizes charitable giving for low- and middle-income taxpayers. It would allow everyone to deduct charitable giving, regardless of itemizing status.

With tax reform, our aim is to increase take-home pay for middle America. With my bill, our goal is to increase support for all charities.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the great work of our faith-based and charitable organizations by supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, we are here today because, almost 11 months ago, the American people voted to give Republicans control of unified government. They were tired of being crushed by rising healthcare costs due to ObamaCare. They wanted America's economy to prosper again. They wanted a secure border.

During the months that followed, Congress worked with President Trump to sign over 50 bills into law. On top of that, the House passed over 270 laws that now sit in the Senate awaiting action.

Despite this legislation, there is a unified voice that is loud and clear arriving daily from our base, saying, ``Get something done.'' The reason for that call is because Americans continue to be crushed by government policies, something that is very evident. These are the same policies that drove them to vote for us in the first place.

Americans are scarred by the broken promises of the former administration. They could not keep their doctor, even though they were told by the former President they could. Their premiums did not go down $2,500, and their exchanges did not work.

ObamaCare resulted in fewer options and increased costs for many Americans. Out-of-pocket costs continue to soar, with overage deductibles for bronze plans topping $6,000 in 2017.

Some States, like Arizona, faced premium increases of 116 percent; Oklahoma, 69 percent. Tennessee faced a 63 percent increase. And one- third of counties have only one insurer offering coverage on the exchange. Some entire States like Wyoming, right below me, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Alaska only have one insurer.

Think about that. This trend is predicted to worsen, with half of American counties only having one insurer in 2018.

As we have come to almost 8 years with the ACA, or ObamaCare, we run a risk of thinking that it is normal. Our healthcare system was not perfect before. We are not making that case. But ObamaCare made what was already bad even worse.

We cannot think of these stats as mere numbers. Americans are really suffering under this law. Just because Senate Majority Leader McConnell gave up on repealing ObamaCare in the Senate does not mean Americans will give Congress and Republicans a pass. We cannot and we must not give up on this important promise.

The burden of ObamaCare is only made worse by the lackluster growth of the economy in recent years. During the Obama administration years, the economy failed to grow even once at the historic goal of 3 percent a year, something we just saw in our last quarter.

Americans are as industrious and innovative as ever. Americans' work ethic is not the problem. It is our antiquated tax system that has been bogged down over the years by regulators and lobbyists.

Since our last major rewrite of the Tax Code 31 years ago, the same year that ``Top Gun'' was number one in the box office, 1986, our Tax Code has added over 35,000 pages. Think about that--35,000 pages. That is about three changes per day. Each page is another carve-out or a loophole for the well connected, leaving the rest of the economy behind.

Our companies are at a disadvantage internationally, as our tax rate stands at 35 percent, the highest, as we know now, in the industrialized world.

Families continue to be punished with a marriage penalty.

Our Tax Code should be a competitive advantage for our companies competing with the world. It should encourage innovators to push the boundaries and find success.

The call to get something done that we hear loud and clear from Americans is also coupled with a call to make sure that we are doing our very best to secure the border. Perhaps there is no more vocal call from the past year than to build that wall.

In 2016, the United States saw a surge in illegal border crossings, with 46,000 illegals apprehended in that October alone. This is both a fiscal and a security issue.

Border security is more than just the border, though. Visa overstays are responsible for up to 40 percent of illegal immigration. We need a solution, and we need an action to this problem if we are truly to secure the border.

To add to these problems, more than 100 sanctuary jurisdictions have enacted policies which restrict cooperation with ICE, allowing potentially dangerous illegal immigrant criminals to remain in our country.

I am confident that the American people will deliver their final grade on Republicans over the next 3 months simply based on the three issues, the three promises that I am speaking about today: number one, continuing to work and replace and repeal ObamaCare; number two, reforming the Tax Code; and, number three, securing the border. In short, repeal, reform, secure; repeal, reform, secure. We need to fulfill these promises in the next 3 months. The urgency and the time is now.

As I said before, the status quo on these policies is literally crushing Americans, and this is why they elected Republicans. In fact, since 1913, when Republicans expanded, or when the House expanded the 387 Members to 435, this is the only time in history when back-to-back Congresses, the Americans have elected 240 or more Republicans, and it is time we did our job. We need to keep our promises to the American people.

I am pleased to be joined by members of the Republican Study Committee today to talk about the importance of keeping these promises. That is why it is my privilege to introduce one of our newer members from Kansas, Representative Ron Estes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Estes).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Estes. Perhaps no one knows more and has had more experience than the chairman of our Judiciary Committee, a former immigration attorney who has spent years working on resolving these issues.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Goodlatte and appreciate those powerful words.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. DeSantis), a colleague and one of the sharpest, most intellectual Members of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments. I always appreciate the contribution that the gentleman makes to the House and to the American people.

I could not agree more. For those who may be listening or watching, you may have seen, in the last few months, a heightened energy, or an urgency when it comes to calling out our partners in the Senate to begin to move and to begin to act--not just on things like repealing the healthcare, ObamaCare, but also moving, getting ready to move, hopefully, on tax reform.

I know there has been some agreement on the framework, but, as the details continue to be more and more clear, we hope our colleagues on the Senate are ready to move quickly and swiftly for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Norman), a brand-new Member who came in from a special election to replace OMB Director Mick Mulvaney when he took the position with President Trump's administration. He has gotten up to speed quickly and is a huge asset to the Republican Study Committee and to the House Republicans as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments. As you see, three promises, 3 months; October, November, December, three promises, 3 months: repeal, reform, and secure. That is the promise from the Republican Study Committee, making up 157 members, 17 of the 20 chairmen.

Now it is in our ability to make sure this gets through the Senate and passed into law by the President. We can't force all that, but what we are committed to is doing our part and doing our job to get these pieces of legislation through regular order to the House for a vote to fulfill the promises that most of us ran on over the last several elections.

It is also a wonderful privilege tonight to introduce our House veterinarian--the gentleman can define that as he would need if we need a House veterinarian--but the great Representative from central Florida who does fine work in the House, Dr. Ted Yoho.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Yoho, and we appreciate the gentleman's work in the United States House.

Mr. Speaker, one of the most accomplished men, sometimes a person whom we refer to as ``Governor'' around here when it comes to political minds, is the gentleman from South Carolina, Representative Mark Sanford. Week in and week out, he is a very diligent and great leader in this House.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield to the fine gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Sanford).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Sanford; I appreciate the gentleman's good words, experience, and knowledge.

Mr. Speaker, speaking of Congress as a whole, it is well past time to make sure that tax reform and tax relief gets across to the American people.

A lot of times we talk about classes. The truth is it is probably better terminology to talk about income levels, lower, middle and higher income levels. That is one of the reasons that we are pushing forward the Charitable Giving Act, which is something that impacts both the lower and middle income levels.

We believe that is something that needs to be connected to tax reform to make sure that those folks who come from a background of teachers and truck drivers as we just heard about, but also other areas of the middle class and maybe lower income levels, something that they have a way where they are able to make sure that every dollar and every sacrifice they give back to a charitable organization--whether it is a local church or whether it is to the United Way--to make sure that every dollar is counted.

This is something that has been going on way too long. As we know, there are 75,000 pages right now of IRS Tax Code regulations. If the IRS wants to come after a private citizen, the private citizen doesn't have much of a resource ability to fight back whether it is in the legal or whether it is extended wealth. This is a machine that has been building, and the bureaucracy has been growing well past time.

It is time to neuter the IRS. One of the ways we can do that is reducing it from seven tax brackets down to three. It was erroneously shared by somebody across the aisle recently that we are driving up the lowest bracket from 10 percent to 12 percent. The truth is this: we are condensing it right now to three tax brackets--35 percent, 25 percent, and 12 percent--and doubling the standard deduction from $12,000 to $24,000. This is something that we are looking forward to doing to benefit the American people.

We talk much in these Halls about bipartisan support or bipartisan this or that. When did it become an issue, when did it become a problem, and when did it become a point of contention to allow the American people to keep more of the money from the hard work they put in day in and day out, week in and week out? That is something that we must do. That is something that should not even be a place of argument or a place of debate when it comes back allowing these folks to continue.

For some, we can get past the tax credit language. We can move on beyond the charitable deductions and all the different political and accounting words. What about just the family of four that needs another car, that needs to be able to afford a car payment to get a mom or a dad back and forth to work, or maybe a teenager in the house? We have been through that twice now. We had more claims than we probably should, but we get it. But also, maybe it is a few more times out to eat or to the movies, the things that

make you want to get up every day and continue to pursue that American Dream.

But not only from the individual side of this--certainly very important--but what about this corporate tax rate, this business rate that we talk constantly about that almost has become Washington jargon talking points? Why is that so important?

Over the years since the 1930s and 1940s, our corporate business rate has climbed to the highest in the industrial world.

Why is that? Why would we make it tougher on our manufacturers and our companies to have a higher tax rate? What incentive is it to stay here? We could track company after company.

I come from the State of North Carolina where textiles and furniture used to be two of our top three job providers. A lot of those companies now you will find in Vietnam or other places.

That corporate tax rate that literally has gone through the roof, why wouldn't we want to reduce that business rate? Why wouldn't we want to incentivize companies to begin to bring those jobs back to the United States?

I think it is crucial, and I think it is something that all of us should have the energy and the ability to be able to get behind and really push forward.

We have been promising this for how long? Since 1986? I was a junior in high school. Thirty-one years this has been on the docket, and the moment is now for us to deliver. If it is not now, as Reagan used to say, then when? Then how?

What should we be doing if it is not fulfilling the very promise that we have made to the American people, and that is that we are going to provide genuine--not some kind of phony legislation, not some kind of showboat, but genuine tax reform and tax relief for the American people?

Now, you may hear sometimes that, hey, the Republican plan is only for the most wealthy. Let's look at the numbers. Let's put a little math equation up, if we could, please.

Let's say that the most wealthy--if you are talking about somebody who makes $1 million, let's say we reduce their taxes by 1 percent. My math that I am doing here in my mind, that comes to about $10,000.

Let's say, if you go to that middle-income family, two parents working as hard as they can, they are bringing about $50,000 a year annually, yet their tax break, their tax benefit is 10 percent. Now, math tells me that is only $5,000 compared to the $10,000.

So you may hear the spin from time to time, well, the wealthier are getting the higher tax break, the wealthier are getting the higher tax credit. Listen, when it comes to dollar for dollar, the impact that that makes to the middle and lower income families is drastic. I will tell you this. Every time we turn around, every time that each Member goes back and forth to his district, he is hearing the same message: ``Get something done.''

Tax reform is one of those areas where, specifically, we are being compelled, we are being urged, and we are being called. My fellow Members in the House, please hear those urgent voices right now. Even if Members want to move past the tax relief and the humanitarian component, is it not politically strategic for us to do what we have promised to do on behalf of the American people?

As I said in my opening, I am confident that the American people will deliver the final grade over the next 3 months. The 115th Congress, what kind of grade will we have over the next 3 months if we do not deliver on these three promises?

I am hoping that that urgency is resonating. Repealing and replacing, continuing to fight to repeal and replace ObamaCare, to make sure that we are continuing to reform and do everything that we can to reform the Tax Code. Finally, the promise that we have been making year after year is to make sure that we are protecting the American people by securing our border.

I understand that each of these items is a major legislative item in its own right. To be frank, we should have been delivering on them throughout the year. It is October, the 10th month of year. It is high past time. We only have such a busy agenda this late in the game because we haven't delivered on our promises.

I want to thank my colleagues and fellow Republican Study Committee members tonight for joining us this evening.

I would ask the American people to continue to support and continue to urge their Members of Congress to deliver on these promises.

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

Mr. Chairman, $20.2 trillion. Our national debt is more than $20.2 trillion.

Let's put it this way: each American's share of the national debt is $62,000. From the retiree in North Carolina who has already done so much to serve the country, to the newborn child in New York with so much potential, that is $62,000. In fact, it is more than the median American family brings home in an entire year.

Our debt continues to mount, even as Federal reserves reach record highs. This leads to an undeniable conclusion, even from Captain Obvious: the Federal Government has a spending problem.

The growing Federal Government has significant negative consequences for the country and its people. The large Federal debt reduces investment, productivity, and wages, while Federal interventions in the economy reduce the incentive to work, resulting in a shrinking labor market.

The debt can have dangerous implications for our national security, recently causing a bipartisan group of leading national security officials to write that ``our long-term debt is the single greatest threat to our national security.''

Most fundamentally, when the Federal Government is too big and too intrusive, it interferes with our unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Eleven months ago, the American people voted to give Republicans unified control of government. Now it is time to follow through and implement the policy agenda that Congress and the President were elected on.

As the calendar moves into fall, the grade of the 115th Congress will be delivered on whether we can reform our inefficient Tax Code. This process starts with the budget. Along with repealing ObamaCare and securing our border, the Republican Study Committee budget allows us to fulfill these promises, and more.

This fiscal year 2018 RSC budget ensures a strong national security, robust economic growth, equal opportunity for all, a sustainable social safety net, and a return to constitutionally limited government, all with a goal of securing America's future economy.

Instead of a future of high debt and low growth, the RSC budget proposes a positive blueprint for success and opportunity. Our budget focuses on progrowth, profamily policies that will boost America's economy and provide a strong fiscal foundation for generations to come.

Mr. Chairman, in closing, I would like to thank my friend, Mr. McClintock, for his leadership of the RSC budget task force, as well as all the members of the Republican Study Committee who participated in this effort.

With this budget, we have accomplished our goals of detailing the variety of bold policy solutions, as well as helping to influence the balanced budget offered by my friend, Chairman Black, to include meaningful, enforceable, reconciliation targets, as the RSC budget does, so that we can begin the essential task of implementing these policies into law.

My fellow Members, when will our debt matter? Next year? The year after?

In 6 years, we are projected to spend more than $650 billion on interest alone on our debt.

What will it take for our friends on the left to stop hijacking the American Dream for our children and grandchildren? Is it not a moral injustice to leave this level of debt to the next generation?

Mr. Chairman, we have been making this argument in the House for years. Today, it is time to make a difference.

Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Handel for yielding.

As a former minister and as an American, even as a human being, I believe that every boy and girl is conceived with God-given potential and unique talents and abilities--abilities they will use to serve others and make a difference.

Let me put it this way: I know a young man named Luke. Luke's mother was in for a surprise when, at only 24 weeks into her pregnancy, her baby boy decided it was time to meet the world. To make a long story short, Luke worked through complications with his family, and he serves in our district office in North Carolina.

Every life is an opportunity. Every life is precious.

A little earlier we were challenged by the accusation that Republicans only are concerned about budget. It goes out the window when it comes to this issue.

You know what?

You are right. We don't put a price on life. We cherish it.

Madam Speaker, I am a proud cosponsor of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, 16 years ago today, atop a pile of rubble that just 3 days before stood tall as the World Trade Center, President Bush proclaimed to a hurting Nation: ``I can hear you, the rest of the world hears you.''

With bullhorn in hand and arm wrapped around a firefighter, he added: ``And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.''

That same day, Congress passed an Authorization for Use of Military Force to combat international terrorism. Today, that fight still continues, yet the international community has refused to define terrorism. How are we, and other nations, to fight a war against something that we cannot even define?

Today, I am introducing the Define it to Fight it Act, a bill that withholds 10 percent of our contributions to the United Nations until they are willing to define national terrorism, the very thing that they are supposed to be fighting.

To fulfill President Bush's promise, we must name our enemy and then make sure they hear us loud and clear, not just for our lifetime, but for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent on his 102nd birthday--Dr. Victor Tynes from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge this joyous milestone, filled with memories and experiences. I am grateful for the opportunity to thank Dr. Tynes for his military service. A United States Army veteran of World War II, Dr. Tynes served our country with honor. Furthermore, Dr. Tynes is a great ambassador of his alma mater, North Carolina A&T University. A member of the class of 1940, Dr. Tynes

served in the English and Biology Departments and as the Director of Public Relations. North Carolina has been truly fortunate to share in his long legacy of achievement. I join with his family, friends, alma mater and the Sixth District in congratulating Mr. Victor Tynes on this special occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to be here today. Thank you for your leadership on this, Congressman Davis.

Currently, the United States Capitol Police are not allowed to transfer donations from the USCP Memorial Fund to officers injured in the line of duty but only to families of deceased officers. The great thing about this legislation is that it would allow the U.S. Capitol Police to transfer those donations to injured officers as well as families of deceased officers to help defray and cover some of the medical costs.

As a former pastor, I can tell you that one of the biggest stressors on families is when there has been an illness or injury to these families that causes additional financial strain. This is common sense. It is certainly bipartisan, across-the-aisle of doing the right thing.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation. Again, I thank Representative Davis for his leadership, as well as Representative Brady, and I am proud to support this piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Goodlatte for yielding. I appreciate his boldness in protecting the citizens of America with great legislation.

Mr. Speaker, when the father of Kate Steinle, Jim, testified before Congress, he said: ``Everywhere Kate went throughout the world, she shined the light of a good citizen from the United States of America. Unfortunately, due to unjointed laws and basic incompetence of the government, the United States has suffered a self-inflicted wound in the murder of our daughter by the hand of a person that should have never been on the streets in this country.''

Well, today we can resolve that.

Two years ago this weekend, Kate's life was ended when she was gunned down by a five-time deported criminal illegal alien with seven prior felony convictions.

Kate's Law would stiffen penalties, helping to stop these preventable tragedies.

Additionally, today the House will pass the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act as well.

You just heard: Will Democrats participate?

Well, 80 percent of Americans support ending sanctuary cities, and no citizen should be in danger because politicians think they are above the law.

So will Democrats participate? Will they listen to their constituents?

Eighty percent of Americans feel pretty good about this law.

Both pieces of legislation serve the basic functions of our government by keeping the people of our States and country safe from those who wish to do us harm.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, our country will celebrate our independence and the rebuke of the British monarchy. Even still, we know across America, but especially in the great State of North Carolina, we have our own king, who turns 80 on Sunday.

Richard ``The King'' Petty is the most decorated and respected driver in the history of motor sports. His legendary 43 car dominated race tracks for decades. He has even been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H.W. Bush.

More importantly than Mr. Petty's work on the track are the lives that he has impacted. The Petty family, through the work of multiple charities and the impactful Victory Junction Camp, has served children with disabilities in incredible ways.

Mr. Petty, you and Kyle and the rest of the family even showed what grace and dignity looks like in the loss of a grandson.

We wish you a happy birthday today, Richard ``The King'' Petty. Thank you for all you do for the people of North Carolina, and I will be looking for that hat, those sunglasses, and that bright smile for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of William Henry ``Doc'' Long, a veteran of World War II and liberator of France at Ancerviller on November 13, 1944. William Long was a member of the ``Greatest Generation'' and a true patriot. Mr. Long graduated from Summerfield High School just eight months before the attack at Pearl Harbor. Throughout his life, Mr. Long was active in his community, church and the trucking industry. To honor his more than 70 years of service to the transportation industry, the American Truck Historical Society recognized Mr. Long with the Golden Achievement Award. He served diligently at his church, Summerfield Peace United Methodist, and on the Summerfield School Committee. He was a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner, a lifetime member of the American Legion and the former Vice President of the 315th Regiment of the 79th

Infantry Division Army Association. Mr. Long was inducted into the French Legion of Honor by a decree of former French President Sarkozy for his decisive role and personal contribution to the liberation of France during World War II. His name is on a monument in the village of Ancerviller, along with other men who fought so bravely to restore freedom. Mr. Long's numerous achievements and service to his country will not be forgotten. I join with his family, friends, community and the entire Sixth District in remembrance of William Henry ``Doc'' Long, a true American hero.

Mr. Speaker, many times as our Members in the House travel throughout our districts, we are often asked: What is being done in the House? What is being accomplished?

Well, this afternoon we are going to take a few minutes and allow you to hear directly from the Members, something that we like to call the People's Night. This is the people's House, so from time to time we like to bypass any of the outlets and talk directly to the American people.

Now, a lot of people might not know specifically what has been going on in the House. Well, I think these visuals may aid in specifically talking about some of the things that we are accomplishing.

For example, if you will see the chart, this chart lists the House- passed bills to date. It also includes the last four Presidents. As you can see, the House of the 115th Congress has passed 158 pieces of legislation; 158 bills we have sent to the Senate or to the President.

The House isn't the only one that has been busy. Our President has been busy. In fact, if you will notice this chart behind, you will notice that we are also at a record pace if you look at the last four, five Presidents. Of these bills, the President has signed 37 bills into law, compared with the next most, which was George Herbert Walker Bush many years ago, with 35.

That is what the House is working on; it is what we are working with the Senate, we are working with the President.

But this afternoon I want you to hear directly from some of the Members themselves who have been very instrumental not only in what we have accomplished, but also some of the things that we are looking forward to accomplishing over the next few months.

The first person I would like to introduce to you is our chairman of the Financial Services Committee, Jeb Hensarling. Representative Hensarling is from Texas' Fifth District and has been instrumental in doing something that we have been promising and trying to accomplish for many years.

Mr. Speaker, with that, I yield to Chairman Jeb Hensarling, my good friend.

Thank you, Chairman Hensarling. Most people would not describe your role as a small part in making sure that people have more opportunities in our financial industry.

Not that we are showing Texas any partiality this evening, but our second Representative is a former Federal prosecutor from the great State of Texas, and many would consider one of the top conservatives in all of the United States Congress, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe), my friend, is here to talk about the CFPB, among some other issues. So without further ado, I yield to Mr. Ratcliffe.

I thank Representative Ratcliffe for his comments.

Mr. Speaker, once again, if people are watching at home or are gathering here today, I want to remind them that, many times--Members of Congress, when you go back home, you hear a lot of times: Do your job; get things done.

And as I reflect your attention again to our chart here this evening, we can talk a little bit about what we have passed in the House: 158, the most in several different administrations.

However, even though we are going to talk tonight a little about what we have done and what we look forward to, we are not stopping with 158, we are not stopping with the 37 that have been signed into law. We are looking forward to doing some new things.

I think one of the best people to talk about something that we are excited about is certainly somebody that I call a friend, a fellow member, a colleague from North Carolina, someone who allows me to tag along into NASCAR country from time to time, a real friend of the people, someone who I have learned that will tell you the truth no matter what you ask. It is my privilege to yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hudson).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Hudson for his passion about that.

Speaking of passion, in the 2\1/2\ years that I have served in the United States Congress, there are Members who work on different projects, different concerns, different issues. I will tell you

someone who I have really grown to love and appreciate, someone who has lived it out on the battlefield as he has worked to literally put veterans back together as a surgeon on the battlefield, someone who understands and has worked well into the life arena, and that is Dr. Brad Wenstrup, a fellow steering committee member on the Republican Steering Committee.

Without further ado, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio, Dr. Wenstrup, to please share what is on his heart today.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Wenstrup. I appreciate his passionate plea.

Speaking of life, one of the most outstanding voices that I have gotten a chance to meet, someone who, without compromise, unashamedly talks about the value and the worth of an unborn child is Representative Trent Franks from Arizona. He is here today to talk about a future bill, hopefully one that we can add to this total of 37 in the not too distant future.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Franks), someone who is a warrior in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Franks as he continues to stand year after year in fighting and standing up for the unborn child.

Many times you get to meet some wonderful people here in the United States Congress. And someone asked me the other day: Who is a strong Member? Who is someone who is willing to stand up?

I guess they might have thought I would have said the Speaker or the majority leader, as well they do in their own right. When I think of somebody willing to engage, it is the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black). She is not just known in the Sixth District; she is known throughout all of Tennessee as far as being willing to stand up for those who cannot stand up and protect themselves.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Black.

When we talk about what is getting done, I want to remind our audience this evening, Mr. Speaker, that our President, even without a full Cabinet, has been busy taking time to make sure that what the House and the Senate are sending him is being signed into law.

As you can see on my chart this evening, 37, that is the most. You have to go back. In fact, the last four Presidents haven't equalled that total. And 158 bills from the House have been passed.

One of the things that has been promised by this administration and by Members of Congress is to make sure that we are doing everything we can to take care of a very important segment of our population, and that is our veterans.

It wasn't long after I arrived 2\1/2\ years ago that I had a chance to meet someone. Now, as a former pastor, you can always tell the character and integrity of someone when they have gone through a hardship.

I met Dr. Phil Roe after he had lost a loved one in his life. He could have gone home, but he had a mission to complete, and that is to stand up for those veterans who needed standing up. A former physician himself, he was willing to come back and continue to fight. What a privilege it is to serve with the chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Dr. Phil Roe.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Roe and appreciate his continued service. It is a privilege to certainly work with him in the House.

One of our newest Members who came in the 115th class, a gentleman by

the name of Jim Banks--in fact, he is the only new Member serving on the Republican Steering Committee. Some would describe him as a quick study, I guess, but he is here this evening to specifically talk about continued VA accountability and the Department of Defense readiness.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Banks).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Banks, and I appreciate this is such an important issue that he is battling.

Once again, this evening, Mr. Speaker, we are reminding that tonight is the People's Night here in the people's House. We are focusing in on the work of the Members of Congress.

As you can see in our chart this evening, 158 bills have been passed through Congress. So many times we continue to hear: What is Congress working on?

Well, not only have we passed these 158, we are still working on passing things in the future.

One of the great Members from South Carolina, Mr. Jeff Duncan, is someone who has a genuine heart and passion for others, but also has a wonderful heart for the outdoors, as he is currently chairman of the Sportsmen's Caucus.

Without further ado, I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Duncan.

Many times in Congress you hear sometimes maybe big words or crazy words, words like ``appropriations'' or ``appropriators.'' We have one of those appropriators with us tonight, a strong conservative from the State of Georgia, my friend, Representative Tom Graves, who is going to talk a little bit about his proposal and an idea that I believe helps us continue adding to this number of 158.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Graves).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Graves.

It doesn't take you long, around the Halls of Congress, to see someone who has a genuine heart for service, someone who can quickly give up his chair, or someone who sees someone that is without. Sometimes I think that is a person who has served in faith many years, and sometimes I just think that is part of the natural tendency of a person who certainly has a heart, not only for God but to serve others.

I can think of nobody who better fits that description than our chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, here to talk a little bit about his passion and his vision for tax reform.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Brady for his comments. It is an honor to have him with us this evening.

We have talked a little bit about veterans tonight. Former veteran, chaplain, and pastor, Representative Collins, we would love for you to talk about something that is part of that 158 pieces of legislation that has been passed, what we called the REINS Act.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Collins for his comments.

As we continue to talk about some of the things that have been accomplished and also things that we are looking forward to, it is a wonderful opportunity to introduce my friend, Representative Jody Hice from the great State of Georgia, a fellow former pastor who still enjoys those opportunities, I am sure, when you have a few. But tonight I want him to talk about the Free Speech Fairness Act.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Jody B. Hice).

I thank Representative Hice and I appreciate his courage in being willing to stand and speak out.

My great friend, Representative Gary Palmer, from the home of the University, Crimson Tide Alabama football, great to have you here tonight talking about a very important issue, the Agency Accountability Act.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Palmer), who will close us out this evening.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Palmer and all the Members for coming out this evening and listening to our presentation on the passage of 158 bills.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Central Carolina Homeschoolers (CCH) high school mock trial team. On May 13, 2017, the CCH mock trial team won the 2017 National High School Mock Trial Championship in Hartford, Connecticut. I, along with the rest of the Sixth District, express my sincere congratulations to this team.

Based in Randolph County, the CCH team is the first North Carolina school to win the National Championship in this annual competition. I am pleased to recognize Caitlin Kelly, Joshua Way, Jonah Moss, Heather Pennington, Allyn Sims, Madysen Bailey, Emily Polson and David Bainbridge Jr. for their diligence in accomplishing this exceptional feat. I would also like to acknowledge the team's coaches, Maria Bailey and Darren Allen, for their dedication to these students.

Once again, I congratulate the CCH mock trial team for this momentous accomplishment and wish these students much success in the future.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the ordering of the yeas and nays on the motion that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 984) to extend Federal recognition to the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, the Chickahominy Indian Tribe--Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc., the Monacan Indian Nation, and the Nansemond Indian Tribe, be vacated, to the end that the Chair put the question de novo.