Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Goodlatte for his great work in bringing this matter forward.

Mr. Speaker, protection of children is not a partisan matter, and I am grateful to the committee, committee staff, and Chairman Goodlatte for his leadership in this matter and bringing this forward.

With school ending and summer camp starting, this is the time to bring awareness to and pass the Child Protection Improvements Act.

Every year, millions of people work with or volunteer to help our children wherever they are as camp counselors, local youth sports coaches, mentors. You name it. All across America, there are organizations where people can make a difference in the lives of our Nation's youth, and our children can absolutely benefit from these programs. Take the Boys and Girls Clubs, MENTOR, or the YMCA, just to name a few. These groups and dozens of others, which exist virtually in all of our districts, have come to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff) and to me asking for help.

Just like any parent, they too want to ensure that people working with our kids are decent, with clean backgrounds and good intentions. Mr. Speaker, that is where Congress comes in. We have a duty to ensure every youth-serving organization in America can afford and access the best background checks on staff and volunteers so they can properly vet people who might have traveled across State lines. This means utilizing the FBI's gold-standard database.

Shockingly enough, not every organization has the option today, but we have the ability to change that. The Child Protection Improvements Act would allow all youth-serving organizations to utilize the FBI fingerprint-based background checks. We are simply eliminating the red tape that prevents the access in some of these States so every organization can adequately look out for our children, no matter where they live.

For those who are justifiably concerned about the cost, it should also be noted that the CPIA is fiscally responsible, as it does not authorize any new spending. The program will be supported by fees assessed for background checks by the requesting nonprofit organizations.

Mr. Speaker, every kid deserves a childhood where they can explore, grow, and do fun things beyond the

walls of their home and school. As a father of three myself, I ask my colleagues to support this commonsense measure to catch potential threats and keep our kids safe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of World War II veteran, noted author, and longtime Eighth Congressional District resident Donald Burgett, who recently passed away at the age of 81.

Don was an Army paratrooper, and he participated in the opening operations of the Normandy invasion with A Company, 506th Parachute Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division.

After his service, Mr. Burgett published four books, including ``Currahee!'' published in 1967 and endorsed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mr. Burgett used his photographic memory to paint vivid scenes during the chaos of war.

In addition to his writing, he also was an active member of several veterans organizations, including the VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and the Military Order of the Cooties. He was a local builder and loved spending time outdoors.

Don is survived by his wife, Twyla, his 5 children, 12 grandchildren, and 28 great-grandchildren. A memorial is being held for him this week in his honor in his hometown of Howell, Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence for this great American patriot.

May God bless Don and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the American Health Care Act, and I want to thank the chairman for his leadership on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I came to Washington, D.C., to make a difference. When it comes to health care, it is readily apparent that ObamaCare does not work for most Americans. We know for a fact, as we are standing here today, that the current system is collapsing upon itself.

Our Nation has endured 7 long years of this mess, and today we have the obligation and the responsibility to act. I have heard many critics of this proposal, but I was raised to do what is right, to be a part of the solution, and not sit idly by on my hands as a spectator and watch Rome burn.

I came to Congress to make a difference, to find solutions to the many issues that vex our country. I came here to reduce the size and scope of an unwieldy government, to get government out of the way of everyday citizens. I came here to address spending, a $20 trillion debt in this country, to bring back free-market principles. I came here to defend the Constitution and our founding principles, and turn power back to the States and to the people.

All that said, every single one of these principles can be found in this bill. The American Health Care Act reduces spending and cuts the taxes that have strangled businesses and individuals for the last 7 years. It represents the first real entitlement reform in the 52-year history of Medicaid. It deletes Federal mandates that rob citizens of their individual liberty.

Mr. Speaker, this bill may not be perfect, but it is a dramatic step in the right direction. And before I am lectured as to unsubstantiated facts and fear tactics as to how this is going to impact my State, I would suggest to you that 420,000 Michiganders eligible for Medicare said ``thanks, but no thanks'' to the broken promise of affordable health care.

And that is why, Mr. Speaker, I am going to vote for this bill, and I would ask my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 60.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of a true leader and friend, Betsy DeVos, for the nomination of Secretary of Education.

By far and away, Betsy DeVos is the ideal candidate to guide our Nation's education policies. For three decades, she has been focused on making sure all of our Nation's children have access to quality education, particularly for the disenfranchised and those in real need.

The Associated Press recently ran a piece highlighting West Michigan Aviation Academy and the tremendous difference the school is making in the lives of the children in Michigan. Betsy DeVos had her hand in that process, as she has in so many of the other schools across western Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, being from Michigan myself, I have seen firsthand what Betsy DeVos has done for education in Michigan. She understands the important role of public schools in the K-12 system, but also believes that competition, school choice, and parental control will help drive success in all schools to ensure that all children are receiving the best possible education, no matter their circumstances.

I hope to work with my friends on the other side of the Capitol. And I hope, during this time before the Senate committee considers Ms. DeVos' nomination, that the rest of the Nation will hear of the great things that Betsy DeVos has done and see how qualified she is for this job.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his continued leadership and for the opportunity to rise today to join him and this group in this urgent discussion regarding solutions for our Nation's healthcare crisis.

I do appreciate the opportunity to be with my colleagues tonight and the sense of urgency that I feel from this group to address a very important issue.

Mr. Speaker, since the 2,700-page healthcare law was enacted in 2010, when our colleague from across the aisle absurdly rose and declared that we would know what was in it as soon as we passed it, young adults, families, and seniors have been punished and their policies canceled.

We have seen skyrocketing costs, poor coverage and, clearly, a lack of choices. I hear from constituents every single day who say that the law has not made health care more affordable, as President Obama promised it would.

Instead, healthcare insurance premiums have skyrocketed and are slated to increase again and again and again--significantly--regardless of what Congress is able to do about the law this year. In fact, those who currently have a plan can expect an average premium increase of 73 percent, while individuals who are just joining will see a 96 percent increase in premiums. Job providers are getting smothered as well.

Prior to joining Congress, I was a member of the private sector, and I can tell you firsthand that small businesses are cutting hours. They are letting go of workers. All of these things they are doing to make room for the ever-expanding healthcare law. It is preventing the economy--small business, which is the backbone of our economy--from growing to its fullest potential.

For all of these reasons, 8 out of every 10 Americans now favor changing ObamaCare significantly or replacing it altogether. What we do know is that doing nothing is not an option. Leaving this alone will result in further costs, further struggles by our families and small businesses, and we will see this whole healthcare law collapse upon itself. I do not believe and I don't think my colleagues believe here today that doing nothing is an option.

Last year in Michigan, deductibles went up an average of $492 across all bronze, silver, and gold plans. This year our exchange rates will jump 17 percent in the State of Michigan. Families have a budget just like everybody else and they simply cannot absorb that kind of cost increase.

Complicating matters further, insurers like UnitedHealth Group are leaving the exchanges. Private practices are folding and doctors are being forced to retire because they can't financially stay afloat.

I can tell you, from a personal perspective in my own family, I have seen my doctor disappear recently this past year. Seemingly overnight, he retired

and moved away because he could not keep up with the costs of staying in business as a private practitioner.

I had a rheumatologist in my district. He is a very well-respected man who treats many rheumatoid patients in our district. It is a very sad fact. These people count on him every single day of the week. They have been forced out of his practice because they no longer fit into the network. He is forced with compliance costs--overwhelming compliance costs. He has to hire new people to cover the compliance requirements. He doesn't have the same reimbursement rates.

After all is said and done, a private practitioner, a specialist like this, can no longer stay in business; and families like ours, people like you and like me, can no longer continue to have that relationship, that doctor-patient relationship, that very personal relationship that we have had for years. These are real people, doctors, but also families and small businesses in our local communities that are struggling to stay financially afloat. The end result is we are losing good doctors because of the failures of ObamaCare.

Mr. Speaker, when a law has unintended consequences, Congress has an obligation to step up and make things right. In 2017, this will require a collaborative, bipartisan approach to address the issue. This is about finding a pain-free way to move forward with health care in our Nation to ensure our neighbors and our families don't have to struggle to make ends meet because of failed law.

We must act, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank Chairman Walker for his continued support and his continued leadership on this important issue.

Section 4:

``The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.''

Section 5:

``Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.''

Section 6:

``This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.''

Amendment XXI, section 1:

``The 18th Article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.''

Section 2:

``The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.''

Section 3:

``This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.''

Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Goodlatte for all of his leadership on this matter.

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 26, the REINS Act, which will restore the constitutional authority of Congress and rein in runaway government.

Mr. Chairman, as we have seen over the last 8 years, our economy has been strangled by Federal regulations which are burying small businesses and families. Federal regulations imposed on

America's job creators and households created a staggering economic burden of almost $2 trillion in 2014. That is almost $15,000 per U.S. household, and 11.5 percent of America's real GDP.

But today, the House has an opportunity to cut through the red tape and restore the balance of powers. Economic growth cannot happen from Washington, D.C., it can only come from Main Street. That is why I adamantly oppose unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats issuing their own closed-door regulations in place of congressional regulations. The REINS Act will restore Congress' Article I powers and give a voice back to the American people. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, for the past 20 years as a practicing lawyer and businessowner, I have seen firsthand how companies have tried to grow and create more jobs, but they simply can't, due to the strangling grip of ObamaCare's employer mandate.

Small businesses tell the story of how their current plan was canceled and how they were forced by ObamaCare into a health plan that covers less with higher copays and higher deductibles, along with astronomical, unsustainable increases in premiums.

Simply stated, ObamaCare is crushing small businesses across this great country. Despite the urgency of this crisis, the President has decided to dig himself in and promised to veto any commonsense reform, such as removing this employer mandate.

If the White House has decided not to collaborate with Congress to ease the burdens on families and businesses, then the only path we have is full repeal.

Along with that, Mr. Speaker, we need to move forward and develop commonsense health care reform that not only respects families and the doctor-patient relationship, but also considers any and all opportunities to lower skyrocketing health care costs.

I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on H.R. 596.

Section 2:

``The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority;--to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls;--to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; . . . ''