Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Lacey Brown as the 2016-2017 Escambia County Teacher of the Year. For four years, Ms. Brown has served the Escambia County School District with exceptional passion and an unwavering commitment to serving others.

In Northwest Florida, we are fortunate to have some of the best teachers in the Nation. It is recognized that the teaching profession is one of the most difficult yet rewarding professions in existence. Ms. Brown has exceptionally performed her teaching duties, while also striving to be an active and supportive member of her community.

Ms. Brown is revered by her principal and colleagues at Jim Allen Elementary in Cantonment, Florida. She was chosen to receive this honor because of her exemplary classroom management, thoughtful employment of unique teaching techniques, and her effective engagement of students through the use of technology in the classroom. Her support and outreach extends far beyond the walls of her third grade classroom through her willingness to serve as a supervising teacher to University of West Florida Student Teachers. Through her position as grade level chair, Ms. Brown has also displayed remarkable leadership and dedicated teamwork. I commend her for her steadfast willingness to serve those that matter most, the students and youth of our Nation.

For all of her admirable contributions, I am truly proud to have Ms. Brown as a constituent in Florida's First Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Ms. Lacey Brown for her accomplishments and her commitment to excellence in the Escambia County School District. I thank her for her service and wish her all the best for continued success.

I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding. I similarly thank him for many nights coming to this floor and defending values that are not only uniquely American, but which are unmistakably conservative. I appreciate him for being the fire keeper on this floor for those values and those principles for constituents in his district and in mine and all throughout this great country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my fellow northwest Floridians, brave airmen who serve at Eglin Air Force Base and Duke Field and skilled

aviators who train out at NAS Pensacola and Whiting Field and some of the planet Earth's most hardened and successful warriors in the 7th Special Forces Group and those who also deploy out of Hurlburt Field in northwest Florida. They are the best among us and they often inspire the best within us as a consequence of their patriotic service.

So when I encounter them at townhall meetings or in church or at grocery stores, I often ask: How do you do it? How do you leave your family, your home, your community, risk your life, your health to go to places that many Americans couldn't point to on a map and to fight against an enemy who is evil and vicious and determined and increasingly equipped?

And almost to a man and woman, they tell me: We fight them over there so that we don't have to feel the consequences over here in America.

It is that spirit that I join in supporting and honoring in my full- throated and unequivocal support of President Trump's most recent executive order so that we are not devaluing the service of my constituents by risking the lives and the health and security of Americans here in this great country.

Mr. Speaker, I wish so much that President Trump's executive order were unnecessary. I wish that we lived in a world that was more stable and secure, where America could welcome with open arms anyone from anywhere for whatever reason at whatever cost. But the reality is that American taxpayers can't pay for everything, and American families cannot shoulder the risks of insecurity for the consequences of terrible foreign policy decisions that have been made over the last 8 years.

Maybe if the former President hadn't withdrawn from the Middle East, these regions would be more secure. Maybe if our policies hadn't so destabilized north Africa that we had failed state after failed state functioning as a caldron of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism, this order would not have been necessary. But, alas, it is necessary.

I think it is important to distinguish between the realities of this executive order and the hysteria that has been created by the media. Some would believe, if they were to look only at media reports, that this was a ban on all Muslims who would seek to come to this country.

Let me affirm: our war, our conflict is not with the Muslim faith. As a matter of fact, this consequence, this conflict we are engaged in is all about the future of that faith and religion, and I am hopeful as a Christian that we are able to forge a lasting peace among all people on Earth. The reality is that there are more than 50 countries that are majority Muslim, and most of those countries will see no impact as a consequence of this most recent executive order. But there are seven countries--I guess it is perhaps a bit generous to call them countries, Mr. Speaker, because they are failed states that function to do very little other than to breed more terror and discontent and anti- Americanism. But from those seven countries, the President has taken the position that we ought to take a closer look, we ought to have a belt-and-suspenders approach to the security of American families. Of the more than 325,000 people who have recently come to the United States from foreign countries since the President's most recent executive order, about 100 have been kept for additional screening, more thorough review, and a more thoughtful approach.

So as I stand here with the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Speaker, know that I am in full support of President Trump's most recent order. When I go back to northwest Florida and I look into the eyes of the warfighters, the airmen, the sailors, and the patriots, I will know that in this House there were those who were willing to stand with them, honor their service and sacrifice, and do everything possible to put America first and to keep Americans safe.

I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding. I believe his question highlights an increasing problem that we have had for the last 8 years that I hope we will cure, and that is the politicization of the important work that the executive branch ought to be doing on behalf of the American people.

The Justice Department should not be Republican or Democrat. It should stand up for the rights of all Americans, the laws that are enacted by this Congress, and the orders that are issued by the President. We shouldn't have circumstances where we have to wonder whether or not the people who are tasked to uphold the law, as the gentleman from Texas did as a jurist and did in a very colored legal career--we shouldn't have to worry about that. But, in fact, for the last 8 years, that has been the problem. That is perhaps one of the reasons why the Senate should act with due haste in confirming Jeff Sessions as the Attorney General, so we go back to a system that is governed by the rule of law, not the rule of popular opinion or politics or one particular ideology.

More specifically to the gentleman from Texas' question, I believe that what undermines the Justice Department is this partisan tilt, are these lenses through which many of President Obama's appointees evaluate the great questions that impact the security of Americans.

The gentleman from Texas correctly points out that what President Trump has done is hardly unprecedented. In 1979, President Carter, hardly one that is held out among conservatives as a great standard- bearer on foreign affairs and a strong America, was one who recognized that there were unique challenges in a unique period of time from those who may be coming to the United States from Iran, and he took action.

Similarly, in 2011, President Obama was concerned that, during an act of conflict with Iraq, there may be circumstances where people would come from Iraq to do harm to Americans on American soil, and so he took action. I guess the difference with President Trump is that he is willing to take action immediately, and that we are not going to have a Presidency with a bunch of handwringing and bedwetting over the questions that impact the safety of Americans and the dignity of this country and its borders.

President Obama was unwilling to heed the counsel of those in his own administration who indicated that there were insufficient vetting procedures in place previously. And so it strikes me as only reasonable, Mr. Speaker, that a new President coming in, having heard that there were inadequate screening procedures, not from a Trump appointee but from an appointee of President Obama, that we would take a finite period of time, 90 days, and we would analyze what would be the appropriate protocols, screening procedures, and vetting algorithms that we would use to ensure that America's interests were placed first.

I am glad we have a President who puts this country first; I am glad we have a President who does not view himself as a citizen of the world more than he views himself as a citizen of this country; and I am glad that he takes that responsibility seriously.

And to answer the gentleman's question, I would say that we ought to have a Justice Department that is led by those who will follow the rule of law, who will defend the rights of Americans, and who will stand up for the security of this country.

Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Texas yielding for a question.

Not long ago, we heard members of the Congressional Black Caucus take to this floor and make the argument that it was hypocritical and improper that in President Trump's order and in the follow-on execution of that order by the Department of Homeland Security that there would be some preference given to religious minorities in these predominantly Muslim countries, particularly Christians, who are often persecuted, harmed, or killed. In many circumstances in which the President has allowed for through exceptions to his order, there will be people from these seven countries allowed into the United States as a consequence of the persecution that they feel and that they endure as a consequence of their Christian faith.

And so my question to the gentleman from Texas is whether or not he shares the Congressional Black Caucus' view that it is improper to treat Christians who are being discriminated against in these predominantly Muslim countries differently and to give them the opportunity to immigrate to the United States of America and realize freedom in the absence of this terrible persecution that they feel?

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Sue Brack as the 2016-2017 Walton County Educational Support Professional of the Year. For almost three decades, Ms. Brack has served the Walton County School District with exceptional enthusiasm and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

In Northwest Florida, we are blessed with exceptional educational professionals and schools, as evidenced by the fact that Walton County School District is among the top performing school districts in the state.

Ms. Brack's contribution has been integral to the success of this district, working diligently to meet the requirement of high expectations, paramount to the mission of the District. As an incredibly knowledgeable Bookkeeper, Ms. Brack has admirably managed a multitude of budgets and projects for the District. Her colleagues have expressed their extreme gratitude for her many years of service. Ms. Brack's innumerable skills and historical knowledge make her an invaluable and greatly appreciated resource.

Ms. Brack has also generously shared her expertise by serving as a mentor to new school bookkeepers. The guidance that she has provided throughout so many schools has been a significant contribution to the success of countless staff members and students. For all of these reasons and more, I am truly proud to have Ms. Brack as a constituent in Florida's First Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Ms. Sue Brack for her accomplishments and her continued commitment to excellence at the Walton County School District. I thank her for her service and wish her all the best for continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Kathleen Redfern as the 2016-2017 Walton County Teacher of the Year. For several years, Ms. Redfern has served the Walton County School District with exceptional passion and an unwavering commitment to serving others.

In Northwest Florida, we are fortunate to have some of the best teachers in the Nation. It is recognized that the teaching profession is one of the most difficult yet rewarding professions in existence. Ms. Redfern has exceptionally performed her teaching duties, while also striving to be an active and supportive member of her community.

Ms. Redfern is revered by her Principal and colleagues for her incredible kindness and positive attitude. She thoughtfully engages her students by employing interesting and exciting methods of focusing on their interests.

Her support and outreach extends far beyond the walls of her Kindergarten class through her sponsorship and involvement with the K- Kids Club, a Kiwanis Club program. Ms. Redfern has displayed remarkable leadership and dedicated teamwork through her outreach projects in her community. I commend her for her steadfast willingness to serve those that matter most, the students and youth of our Nation.

For all of her admirable contributions, I am truly proud to have Ms. Redfern as a constituent in Florida's First Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Ms. Kathleen Redfern for her accomplishments and her commitment to excellence in the Walton County School District. I thank her for her service and wish her all the best for continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Milton VFW Post 4833, John O. Connor Post, in Northwest Florida. This month the Post will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary.

For five decades, this Post has been committed to serving our Nation's veterans. In the past year alone, they have made seventeen visits to area hospitals in support of ill or injured veterans, conducted funeral services for two combat veterans, and sponsored two handicap ramps for veterans.

The Post's commendable care for their community is exemplified by some of their service acts including conducting a cleanup and beautification of Strickland Cemetery, prompting other local organizations to follow suit, and placing more than three hundred flags and wreaths on gravesites of local veterans.

The members of Post 4833 have proven their enthusiasm for engaging the youth in our communities by participating in and funding a local Eagle Scout project, overseeing local submissions to the VFW's Voice of Democracy scholarship program, and by briefing the local Boy Scout pack on proper handling of the American flag.

Additionally, Post 4833 has demonstrated impeccable generosity by organizing three major fundraisers in support of veterans in need, sponsored facilities that house the offices for Disabled American Veterans serving in the Pace and Milton area, provided funding to the Veteran's Dive Locker program, assisted two families by providing grant money for temporary lodging, and donated one thousand two hundred dollars for transportation services of disabled veterans. This year the Post has provided an impressive amount of donations, grants, and assistance; including over eight thousand dollars to Veterans' Programs, three thousand dollars to college grant foundations, and one thousand dollars to summer student leadership courses.

I would like to personally thank all of the members of Milton Post 4833 and specifically recognize the Post's Officers: Post Commander Mike Messer, Senior Vice Commander Bill Ross, Treasurer Chris Williams, and Chaplain Florencio ``Cho'' Ramirez. Under the officers' leadership, the Post has accomplished increased involvement with community programs and has demonstrated a laudable degree of service for veterans.

On behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored to recognize VFW Post 4833 for their long history of unwavering service to veterans and their community, and sincerely congratulate them on celebrating their 50th Anniversary.

Mr. Chairman, lend me your ears. I come to bury ObamaCare, not to praise it. The evil that men do lives after them.

This is the true legacy of the last 8 years: a doubling of the national debt and $4 trillion in additional spending projected through ObamaCare.

What have my constituents gotten from ObamaCare? Higher taxes, higher premiums, unaffordable deductibles, crippling drug costs, fewer choices, and more mandates.

This resolution shows what will happen if we do nothing. Inaction will lead to $30 trillion in debt, the greatest generational theft the world has ever known.

So it is past time to get the Federal Government out of the healthcare mandate business. Let people buy insurance across State lines; allow people to own their own healthcare decisions through health savings accounts; block-grant Medicaid to our States, our laboratories of democracy; and let's reinvigorate a Federal system that is promised by our Founders.

The jobs data cited by the Democrats doesn't assume the positive economic benefits that come from ObamaCare repeal, including, according to the Congressional Budget Office, $200 billion in additional economic activity, more jobs, more opportunity, and more freedom. This is a flawed study that my friends across the aisle cite, and it is the Republican resolution before this body that offers a better way.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I support this rule and the underlying legislation. Today the Federal Government's rules exceed 97,000 pages--the most in American history. So we ask ourselves: Do we really need 20 pages of rules governing vending machines? Could we cover fuel standards in less than 578 pages? Would the Union crumble if we didn't have 61 pages of regulations on residential dehumidifiers?

Each of these rules has compliance costs that exceed $100 million.

In my home State of Florida, we passed a version of the REINS Act. The result has been repeal or replacement of over 4,000 job-killing regulations. We can only make America great again if we make Americans free again--free from the tyranny of unelected Washington bureaucrats huddled in windowless cubicles dictating to Americans how they should live their lives, build their businesses, and protect their own property. Voters sent us here to drain the swamp, but with so many regulations, we would be lucky to get permission to mop up a puddle.