Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my former Chief of Staff, Mrs. Torrie Miller Matous, for her years of service to the American people, State of Alabama, and Alabama's Second Congressional District.

Torrie grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and she earned her B.A. with honors from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Just days after graduation, Torrie moved to Washington, D.C., and began what would become a nearly decade-long career on Capitol Hill.

Prior to joining my staff in 2017, Torrie served for more than five years on the staff of United States Representative Pete Sessions as a Communications Director and later the House Committee on Rules. Torrie then went on to serve as the Communications Director for United States Senator Richard Shelby and several of his committees including the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on

Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Torrie now serves as the Director of the Office of External Affairs for the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Torrie's extensive background on the Hill makes her more than qualified for this new position, and I am confident her experience will serve her well. I know that she will help lead this organization forward, and I have no doubt that she will continue to have a successful career for years to come.

During her time on Team Roby, Torrie led with a sense of grace and confidence. Her attention to detail, ability to connect with constituents and elected officials alike, and outstanding work ethic will be missed in our office. I am thankful for Torrie's time on my staff, and I will always consider her and her husband Kyle true friends.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to join Torrie's colleagues, family, and friends in honoring her successful career in Congress and her dedicated service to the American people and Alabamians. I wish her all the best. Congratulations, Torrie.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his generosity in yielding a few minutes for this very important moment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute as well to a true public servant, Rex Buffington. Rex has dedicated so much of his professional life to supporting leaders in this country, most recently, as you have already heard, as the executive director of the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership, where he has served admirably since the Stennis Center's establishment in 1988.

After many years of encouraging new leaders and supporting existing ones, Rex is retiring. His tireless efforts will be greatly missed, but I know I speak for many who know him in saying we are proud of him and we are confident that his next chapter brings more wonderful milestones.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rex. His work for the Stennis Center has positively impacted American leaders from all generations and walks of life, from high school students to the Members of Congress who walk these halls today. I know this firsthand because I am one of those Members that he has impacted.

I wish Rex, John Gavin, and Catherine great success in the road ahead. He will be missed, but his impact will be felt for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, just over a month ago, Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall on the United States mainland, ravaged areas of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Hundreds of Americans lost everything, and more than 30 people were killed.

Hurricane Michael appears to have done its worst in Panama City, Florida, and nearby areas, but Alabama's Second District was also badly impacted in several counties in the Wiregrass Region. In fact, Hurricane Michael is the most powerful storm to ever hit Houston County, according to recorded history.

In my district, the agricultural community faces the most significant devastation. While the full scale of the damage to local agriculture is still being assessed, Hurricane Michael dealt a terrible blow to our cotton, timber, and peanut farmers.

In the aftermath of the storm, I traveled to the Wiregrass several times to be with our farmers and to see firsthand what they were experiencing. The devastation is heartbreaking, to say the least. The farmers in southeast Alabama are in the midst of a very real crisis.

In Alabama's Second District, agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Throughout my time in Congress, I have made it a priority to fight for our farmers of all commodities. Their work to provide the food and fiber we depend on is vitally important. I will continue to advocate for them, especially during this time of uncertainty, as we work to put the pieces back together for these hardworking men and women who have suffered tremendous loss to their livelihoods.

Mr. Speaker, I want the people I represent to know that my office stands ready to help during this challenging time. I will work with my colleagues here in Congress to provide the proper resources and assistance to our farmers. We must get this right, and we must ensure Alabama's farmers are included in all recovery efforts.

I encourage anyone in Alabama's Second District who needs assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael to contact one of my offices today. My staff and I work for you, and we are committed to ensuring that the folks impacted know the options available to them.

As we work through this season of rebuilding, I have been encouraged to see and hear about so many acts of kindness and charity in our district and throughout the Southeast. This time of recovery will not be easy, but if we continue to help each other in whatever ways we are able, we will get through this together.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6847) to amend title 18, United States Code, to expand and strengthen Federal sex offenses, to reauthorize certain programs established by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 6847, currently under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased we are voting today on the Preventing Child Exploitation Act, which rolls together four bills the House considered and passed last year but the Senate failed to take up and pass. Each of them will make important changes to Federal law to protect children.

I would like to thank my colleagues--Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Sensenbrenner--for their excellent work in crafting and introducing these bills with me and their critical efforts to move them through the House earlier this Congress.

The first part of H.R. 6847 is the bill I introduced, the ``Roby bill.'' It closes a significant loophole in pursuing offenders who engage in sex tourism and prey on children abroad. Specifically, the bill ensures that the definition of ``illicit sexual conduct'' includes all potential situations where an adult defendant may abuse a child under these circumstances. No longer will they be able to go and prey on foreign children without facing the possibility of significant punishment at home. They will also not be able to escape enhanced sentences for doing so.

The bill also closes loopholes that permit those who sexually degrade, humiliate, and abuse children under 12 to avoid sentencing enhancements for repeat offenses.

Congress always intended for children to have the greatest protections, and we must ensure that our laws reflect that intent.

The next part of H.R. 6847, the ``Ratcliffe bill,'' closes yet another loophole regarding offenders who commit violent crimes while they are in noncompliant status as sex offenders. Currently, this enhancement applies only to those who committed crimes of violence under Federal, Tribal, D.C., or military law, and the law of any territory or possession of the United States.

This bill adds State crimes of violence as predicate convictions, thus ensuring all sex offenders who have been convicted of crimes of violence face heightened punishment where they fail to register.

Presently, certain recidivist provisions are not consistent with respect to conduct covered when someone has a prior sex conviction under Federal and State law, as opposed to military law. For instance, under current law, an offender with certain prior military child pornography convictions would not qualify for a sentencing enhancement that someone convicted under a Federal statute would, even if their conduct was the same. This bill fixes this and makes sure that those recidivist enhancements are applied consistently.

The third part of H.R. 6847, the ``Johnson bill,'' fixes a judicially created loophole in the Federal production of child pornography statute. In United States versus Palomino-Coronado, the Fourth Circuit reversed a conviction for production of child pornography for insufficient evidence, allowing a defendant to walk free from production of child pornography charges despite photographic evidence he created that he had engaged in sexual abuse of a 7-year-old child.

In doing so, the court suggested that a defendant must initiate sexually illicit conduct with the specific intent to create child pornography. This decision has extremely undesirable consequences in the prosecution of the production of child pornography. It has created a new defense whereby a defendant can merely deny a preformed, specific intent to record a sexual offense of a minor and escape Federal conviction.

That is an outrageous result, and Congress' intervention is required to fix the statute. The creation of child pornography must be adequately deterred, and this fix ensures that it will be.

Finally, H.R. 6847 includes the Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act, introduced by Crime Subcommittee Chairman Sensenbrenner, the author of the original Walsh Act. The bill reauthorizes the Sex Offender Management Assistance Program and provides funding for the United States Marshals Service, which is tasked with identifying and apprehending unregistered sex offenders. It also adds new provisions that aim to improve the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and make it easier for States to comply.

Thus far, 17 States, 108 Tribes, and 3 territories are in substantial compliance with the law. The intent of this bill is to ensure many more jurisdictions come into compliance.

Over the past several years, DOJ has worked closely with the States to achieve this goal by promulgating flexible guidelines via the continued hard work of the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking, or the SMART Office.

This bill takes several concrete steps to encourage compliance. For example, it addresses concerns many have addressed about juvenile offenders. It is important to keep in mind that only juveniles who have committed the most serious sex offenses are subject to registration under SORNA. Nevertheless, this bill lessens the amount of time a juvenile who commits certain offenses and keeps a clean record must be on the registry. If these youths keep a clean record for 15 years, they may petition to leave the registry.

Additionally, the bill codifies 2016 DOJ guidelines which permit the SMART Office to deem a State in substantial compliance with the act even if it maintains a discretionary juvenile registry.

Further, the bill alleviates the cost of implementation by explicitly permitting alternative means for in-person check-ins for registrants and lessening the number of required check-ins. This is a reasonable amendment that will help States with significant rural populations achieve compliance.

I want to thank all my colleagues. I am glad to have had the opportunity to introduce the comprehensive child protection bill, which, as I have already noted, will strengthen Federal law to protect children. I also want to, again, thank Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Sensenbrenner for their work.

There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children. I implore my colleagues to take that to heart and support this vital, well-crafted, commonsense legislation. I urge every person in this room to consider this bill, not just as a Member of Congress, but as a parent, a grandparent, an aunt, an uncle, or a friend. Please join me today in supporting this bill and protecting our children.

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

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, first, we need to make clear that this bill does not expand law to go after teenagers for sexting. Under present law, technically, such changes may be possible. However, we know of no instance where the Department of Justice has pursued such cases.

When these bills were initially passed, the press falsely claimed that they would make it possible for DOJ to go after teen sexting. This is completely reckless journalism. Apparently, these journalists did not participate in any sort of fact checking, which would have merely consisted of opening a U.S. Criminal Code book. They also continually cite State cases as examples of Federal prosecutors acting aggressively, which is similarly extremely misleading. If our friends across the aisle would like to draw our attention to any cases where the Federal Government prosecuted consensual teen sexting, we would be happy to look at them.

Last year, we offered to work on a provision to provide an affirmative defense in this chapter of the code, despite no evidence that it is necessary, but we were not taken up on our offer.

None of these bills, Mr. Speaker, create new mandatory minimum sentences. Instead, they modify the existing statutory framework to ensure the existing enhancements are applied equitably and to close certain loopholes.

Some of the conduct covered is modestly expanded, but that is done commensurate with the crime. These recidivism enhancements are for these predatory crimes, especially where the defendant has previously sexually abused a child, which is the case for the enhancement in 18 U.S.C. 3559(e).

Society's laws need to address the problems of the day and protect the public, especially our children. Sex crimes against children are ubiquitous. Their number, as we heard in our child protection hearing last month, is growing.

Additionally, the offenses are becoming more depraved, and the victims are getting younger. There is no sign of slowing down, and present law does not appear to be keeping up with the numbers.

The gravity and growing prevalence of these crimes merit an appropriate societal response to have a proper deterrent effect. The enhancements provide this deterrent effect.

In addition, these child sex crimes are vastly underreported. In these sexual exploitation crimes, the victims are often very young and very impressionable. They are often scarred for life as a result of horrific abuse. The punishment must fit the crime, especially where it involves our children.

Again, my appeal to my colleagues is to consider this bill, not just as a Member of Congress, but, again, as a parent, a grandparent, an aunt, an uncle, and a friend. I urge my colleagues to adopt this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share an update with the people I represent in Alabama on my travels during the August district work period.

Each year, all of the Members of Congress take the month of August to spend time on the ground in their respective districts, meeting with constituents and local leaders, businesses, industries, and, ultimately, listening to the concerns of the people at home.

Having this opportunity to hear firsthand from the people who live and work in Alabama's Second District is very important, and I believe it enables me to be a better representative of our shared priorities while I am here in Washington.

It was a busy month. I was fortunate to spend time in Montgomery, Ozark, Hartford, Geneva, Millbrook, Troy, Dothan, Fort Rucker, and Hope Hull.

During my time in Montgomery, I met with Elmore County Commissioner Troy Stubbs, Alabama Farm Service Agency director David McCurdy, leadership from Deatsville's Ingram State Community College, members of the Alabama Association of School Boards, folks from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's Fusion Center, and more.

Also in Montgomery, I visited the Gift of Life Foundation's office, toured the MOOseum at the Alabama Cattlemen's Association, spoke to the American Society of Civil Engineers at their lunch meeting, stopped by Sabel Steel for a visit, addressed the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, toured Common Ground Ministries' Mercy House facility, and more.

In Ozark, I paid a visit to Wayne Farms to tour their recently opened feed mill.

In Hartford, I participated in a meeting about rural broadband development efforts with Wiregrass Electric Cooperative.

In Geneva, I had the opportunity to tour the impressive, newly completed career tech center called G-Tech.

In Millbrook, I was privileged to speak to the Millbrook-Coosada Kiwanis Club during their weekly lunch meeting.

In Troy, I visited with Troy Cable to learn more about their upcoming projects and some of the issues they have recently been facing.

In Dothan, I spoke to the Wiregrass chapter of the Association of General Contractors. We had a great discussion about a wide variety of topics, including efforts right here in Congress to revitalize our Nation's badly aging infrastructure.

I also visited Dothan Behavioral Medicine Clinic, where I received a briefing about Clinicom technology that is being used to diagnose mental illness. Mental health is an acute problem in this country, and I was pleased to learn more about their work.

I stopped by Fort Rucker to tour the aeromedical research laboratory. I talked with many employees there about the importance of Army Aviation to our national security and the innovation happening on-post right in the Second District.

I visited the Army Aviation support facility in Hope Hull for a briefing and an overview on their facility as well. While I was there, I enjoyed talking with General Gordon and Colonel Bass and many others.

Mr. Speaker, these are just some of the many productive, informative meetings I had during this August district work period. Now that the month is behind us, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all the individuals, businesses, local officials, and others who hosted me and visited with me over the last several weeks.

It is always a true joy to be back at home visiting the various communities across Alabama's Second District, and I look forward to more opportunities to learn from the people I represent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my former Chief of Staff Mr. Stephen E. Boyd, for his years of service to the State of Alabama and Alabama's Second District.

Stephen grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and graduated from the University of Alabama. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, Stephen continued his education at the University of Alabama School of Law.

Prior to joining my staff in 2011, Stephen served for more than six years on the staff of former United States Senator Jeff Sessions as a senior advisor and Communications Director. Stephen also served as Communications Director for the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. After leaving my office, Stephen served as the Chief of Staff of the Office of Legal Policy at the United States Department of Justice.

Stephen is currently serves as the Assistant U.S. Attorney General for Legislative Affairs under Attorney General Jeff Sessions. There is no one better suited to serve our country in this key role than Stephen Boyd. I know that he will continue to have great success in this role as the head of the Department of Justice's Office of Legislative Affairs.

During his time on Team Roby, Stephen proved himself to be a gracious leader time and time again. He possesses a keen intellect, conducts himself with the utmost professionalism and decorum, and demonstrates remarkable work ethic. I am thankful for Stephen's time on my staff, and I am grateful to call him and his wife Brecke dear friends.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to join Stephen's colleagues, family, and friends in honoring his successful career in Congress. I congratulate Stephen, and wish him all the best as he continues to serve our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary of the Army Warrant Officer Corps.

The Army Warrant Officer Corps was established on July 9, 1918, to serve as the technical foundation for the U.S. Army. Today, Army Warrant Officers serve as technical experts, combat leaders, trainers, or advisers who fall into one of two categories: Aviators or Technicians. Army Warrant Officers serve on active duty, U.S. Army Reserve, and Army National Guard. I am proud that candidates are trained at the Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) administered by the Warrant Officer Career College at Fort Rucker in the Wiregrass region of Alabama's Second Congressional District.

I recently introduced House Resolution 947, legislation to designate July 9th as ``Warrant Officer Day.'' Since the Corps' establishment, Army Warrant Officers have continually demonstrated superb expertise and professionalism in carrying out the objectives of the U.S. Army. This resolution is a small token of appreciation for the service and sacrifices of the brave men and women who have and are currently serving as Army Warrant Officers.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to acknowledge the Army Warrant Officer's centennial anniversary and to celebrate this special occasion with those who serve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my District Director Mr. Joel ``Joe'' P. Williams, who is leaving my office after more than 20 years of service to Alabama's Second District.

Joe grew up in Headland, Alabama, and graduated from Auburn University in 1991. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, Joe attended law school at my alma mater, the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, and then received a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1997.

Joe has served members of Congress for more than twenty years. Before joining my team as my District Director in 2010, Joe served on the staff of former Congressman Terry Everett for more than ten years. During his time with former Congressman Everett, he was the chief local contact with elected officials and community groups, and the manager of a range of constituent services in Congressman Everett's district offices.

As a member of Congress, I know how vital it is to have a team of experienced and talented individuals who are familiar with the issues impacting the people of Alabama and who are dedicated to service. Joe has shown an unparalleled knowledge of Alabama's Second District, and he has gone above and beyond the call of duty. I am thankful for Joe's long tenure in my office, and I am proud to call him a dear friend.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to join Joe's colleagues, family, and friends in honoring his successful career in Congress. I wish him all the best as he transitions to the External Affairs division of the Alabama Community College System and continues to serve the great state of Alabama. I congratulate Joe--his presence on Team Roby will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for H.R. 6157, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act.

Over the last year and a half, our unified government has taken the necessary steps to unleash the economy and foster growth here in the United States. Because of this work, our economy is strong today.

Now we must do the work required to ensure that our military is strong, too, especially after the damaging sequestration cuts and funding limitations placed on our military by the previous administration. As a member of the Defense Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, I have been proud to have a seat at the table through this process. I appreciate the leadership of Chairwoman Kay Granger as we work to properly fund our military.

I am grateful to serve Alabama's Second District that is home to Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base and Fort Rucker. I am proud that this bill provides the resources to support their critical missions.

Mr. Speaker, one of Congress' most fundamental constitutional responsibilities is to provide for the common defense. This bill fulfills that responsibility and ensures that our military remains the tip of the spear. I will proudly vote for H.R. 6157 to properly fund our military.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 291, ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 292, and ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 293.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I just want to say that each of the gentlewomen here all play for an individual who is a survivor or a fighter.

I have a colleague who I have served on the city council with in Montgomery, Alabama, for 7 years whose 18-year-old daughter, Courtney, was recently diagnosed with leukemia. So I want all of my colleagues to know that these are the faces and the individuals whom we are playing for on the field tonight. I hope that each of my colleagues will come out.

Go, Congress. Beat the press.

Mr. Chair, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 267.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my strongest support for H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, commonly known as the farm bill.

I am proud to serve Alabama's Second District, where agriculture is the largest employer, responsible for more than 93,000 jobs and more than $11 billion in economic impact.

So, Mr. Chair, I know how critically important it is that Congress deliver agricultural policy that actually works for the farmers throughout Alabama, and our country, and makes their important work easier, not harder.

That is why I am proud the new farm bill addresses many of the challenges farmers face every day, including streamlining and reducing burdensome Federal pesticide regulations, creating a program to address our Nation's feral hog problem, and strengthening the existing crop insurance program.

In addition to this, the new farm bill makes several needed improvements to our country's nutrition assistance program by implementing strict work requirements and closing loopholes that allow for abuses of the system.

I am proud that the new farm bill maintains vital nutrition for our most vulnerable Americans when they truly need it, while making a commitment to helping these individuals improve their circumstances.

I support the legislation.

Mr. Chair, I have always believed that we should incentivize able- bodied Americans to work instead of encourage them to remain dependent on the government, so I'm proud that the new farm bill reflects our conservative principles.

I am pleased that this legislation provides a commitment to our nation's farmers while taking important steps towards reforming our food stamps program.

I will continue to advocate for policies that give fair treatment to our Alabama commodities like cotton, peanuts, timber, poultry, soybeans, and catfish. I'm eager to cast my vote in favor of the new farm bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 176.

Mr. Speaker, with Congress out of session for the recent Easter district work period, I had the opportunity to visit Fort Rucker and Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, two outstanding military installations in Alabama's Second District. It is so important that I stay up to date with the needs and priorities of our military bases, and I appreciate those who took the opportunity to meet with me recently.

As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, properly funding our military is one of my top priorities. I will always work to ensure that Fort Rucker and Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base remain strong components in our national defense infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, over the last year, I have appreciated working alongside the administration that has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to rebuilding our military after years of damaging cuts. I am proud to serve in a congressional district that is home to two of our Nation's finest military installations, and I will continue to provide the brave men and women of our military with the best possible resources to ensure that they are well-prepared for whatever challenges they may face as they work to keep us safe.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by wishing Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base a happy 100th birthday. This past Saturday, Maxwell celebrated 100 years of dedicated service. I speak for the entire Second District in saying that we appreciate all that these men and women do for our country, and our community, and I know that our region looks forward to many more years of partnership.

Mr. Speaker, it is truly an honor to be an advocate for Fort Rucker and Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base here in Congress, and I take this responsibility very seriously.