Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, this is a must-pass bill.

I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member for moving this piece of legislation forward as well.

Many disabled veterans and their families depend on their veterans benefits to pay for things like food and medicine. For many of these veterans, these payments are a lifeline. In some cases, the benefits may even be the only income that the veteran has.

It is only fair that we ensure that the benefits paid to veterans who were injured during military service do not lose value because of inflation. If we don't, it could become hard for people who were injured while serving our Nation in uniform to keep their heads above water.

I want to thank Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee Chair Luria for her introduction of the bill.

Madam Speaker, this bill has always enjoyed bipartisan support. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1200.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act.

I am a marine and a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. Caring for our Nation's men and women who have served is a top priority for me and for my staff and, I know, for the members of this committee. They should have peace of mind knowing that they will be cared for by this grateful Nation.

I have had many veterans come into my office with health problems. Sometimes they can't pinpoint the problem at all, but all too often they can if they served in Vietnam: It is exposure to Agent Orange.

We now have 100,000 Navy veterans who served on ships during the Vietnam war and later became ill from their service due to exposure to Agent Orange. Unfortunately, without this legislation, they do not qualify for the same benefits as their fellow veterans who served on the ground.

We must do better. Today's legislation is a step forward in the right direction. This critical legislation ensures they receive benefits for any condition they may have developed as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. It is a bipartisan bill, and it puts our veterans first.

As has been mentioned before, we passed this bill to the Senate last Congress. Unfortunately, the Senate did not, and was not, able to take it up. My hope and my prayer is that we pass this quickly, that it goes to the Senate, that they quickly do their job, and that, with that, we can get it to this President's desk, get it signed, and take care of these veterans who deserve it and have waited so long.

Mr. Speaker, last weekend Southern Illinois University and the larger Carbondale community lost two icons, Harvey Welch and Seymour Bryson.

Harry Welch, a native of Centralia, was the first Black athlete to earn a basketball letter at SIU, playing from 1951 to 1954. He was also the first Black student to complete the ROTC program at the university. Harvey went on to a 20-year career in the Air Force, and he was the first of three Black officers to be promoted to colonel.

After retiring from the Air Force, Harvey came back to Carbondale and SIU in 1975. He served as the first Black dean of student life at SIU and then as vice chancellor from 1987 to 2000.

Seymour Bryson of Quincy, a fellow basketball standout, received three degrees from SIU. He was one of three African Americans to progress from assistant professor to full professor at SIU. He was also the first African American associate dean of the college and the second of three African American deans. Seymour was active in the Carbondale NAACP, Jackson County Mental Health Board, and Carbondale United Way.

Harvey Welch and Seymour Bryson are members of the SIU Saluki Hall of Fame. They will be dearly missed.

Recognizing Kody Vanfossan

Mr. Speaker, I rise today not only as a Member of Congress, but also as a former firefighter to recognize Kody Vanfossan of Christopher, Illinois. Kody, a 24-year-old firefighter, passed away in the line of duty early Sunday morning.

Kody grew up around the fire station and comes from a family with deep traditions of public service. His dad, Brent, is a captain on the Christopher force. His grandfather is Christopher's mayor but was also a firefighter at the Valier Fire Department.

Kody's family instilled in him a passion for helping others, despite the risk. Now his community will remember him as a hero.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Kody for his service, and may he rest in peace.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, any time Congress considers legislation that will radically change our economy, the American people deserve an opportunity to be heard first. And make no mistake, the underlying bill is a radical change to our economy, and not for the better.

My amendment is simple. Before Congress considers legislation to comply with the Paris climate agreement, let's give the American people 90 days of public comment. That is a standard exception for legislation as big as this.

Who would dare deny our job creators, working families, farmers, coal miners, and manufacturers the opportunity to be heard?

If you support the underlying bill, then I would think you would need to hear how this agreement will impact people's jobs and their bottom lines. No one will escape higher prices for energy, food, housing, transportation, or just about anything else. If you come from an industrial State, like my home State of Illinois, you can be especially hard hit.

According to recent studies, the Paris Agreement will devastate employment in steel, iron, cement, and oil refining by killing over 1 million jobs.

Manufacturing jobs are good jobs, and they are jobs that are multipliers, with every new steel job leading to seven additional jobs in the region in which they are created.

We just worked our tail off with the President, President Trump's administration, to help bring nearly 2,000 jobs back, the steel jobs that were in Granite City that were lost. The underlying bill would throw these jobs right back out the window.

What about our farmers? They have faced tougher times and more uncertainty than at any other time, and this would cripple them.

Coal miners have a proud heritage in my district. They are barely hanging on, and this would be the final nail in the coffin.

All of this risk, and for what? A global climate agreement that holds America to a higher standard than China, India, and other emerging nations with bigger emissions and pollution problems?

Look, I have 11 grandchildren. I want to leave a healthier world for them. I want future generations to look back and say that we cared about the future of our planet. But we also have to worry about the people's security in the present. We need to work together to find solutions that protect jobs and protect the planet.

So before the people's House considers the underlying bill, let's hear from the people themselves.

Support my amendment and give our constituents the opportunity to be heard on just how bad the Paris Agreement could be for them.

Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for supporting the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Mary Nell Chew of Carbondale, Illinois, for her significant contribution to the Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois, a program that honors veterans with a free trip to Washington, D.C. to visit their monuments and memorials.

As a testament to her dedication to the brave men and women who have served our country, Mrs. Chew made the gracious decision to help fund the travel of many Southern Illinois heroes on their trip to Washington.

The daughter and wife of veterans herself, she understands what it means for veterans to visit the nation's capital and honor all the brave men and women who have served our country. By sponsoring an entire flight herself, Mrs. Chew has allowed 90 veterans from across generations to make this trip.

Madam Speaker, please join me honoring Mrs. Mary Nell Chew for her generosity and dedication to our nation's veterans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Shelly Smith of Marissa, Illinois, who has been presented the prestigious Teacher of the Year Award by the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, the nation's largest and oldest war veterans service organization.

As an elementary school special education teacher, Mrs. Smith serves her community as a mentor as well as a model citizen. She organized numerous projects to help her community's first responders and veterans, such as her school's Patriot's Day Breakfast. In addition to running her school's booster club, she provides her students opportunities to engage and spend time with local veterans and emergency personnel.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Mrs. Smith and commend her for her patriotism and service to her community.

Mr. Speaker, this week we celebrate Public Schools Week. It serves as a reminder that every child deserves access to quality education that helps them reach their full potential.

Public schools are where our students become citizens. They learn to think critically, solve problems, and build relationships. They grow to contribute to our society, our economy, and our communities, and it all starts with the men and women who want to make a difference.

I want to thank our teachers and educators and professionals who work in these fields, and I want to include Ms. Lucy Gamby, who was my sixth grade teacher, and thank her for the influence that she had in my life. I am sure every one of us has someone like that that is that special teacher.

World Down Syndrome Day

Mr. Speaker, on March 21, we celebrated Down Syndrome Day.

Many people don't know this, but they do know I have 11 grandchildren. My sixth grandchild and third grandson is Stanley. Stanley has Down's, and Stanley is an amazing, fun child, wonderful.

You know, it is kind of our job as grandparents to make sure that each grandchild believes that they are the favorite, and I do my best to do that, but today I want to recognize Stanley because I want to make sure that people understand that the people and the families that are involved and have Down syndrome children or grandchildren, that we live and we work to make sure that they can achieve to the highest level that they can in life. So this day I want to say, ``Stanley, I love you.''

We want to recognize all of our children who have Down's and our adults who have Down's and encourage them to be the best that they can be.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivor Protection Act, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, is it not true that under the Born-Alive Abortion Protection Act that infant survivors of abortion would receive lifesaving medical care?

Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, does an infant survivor of an abortion not deserve the same care as other living human beings?

One more parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker.

Will the Chair entertain a unanimous consent request to enter into the Record comments from Virginia Governor Ralph Northam about infanticide?

Mr. Speaker, if this unanimous consent request cannot be entertained on H.R. 962, I urge the Speaker and the majority leader to immediately schedule the Born-Alive bill so we can stand up and protect the sanctity of human life.

Madam Chair, on rollcall Number 116, my vote is recorded as ``yea.'' My intention was to vote ``nay.''

Announcement by the Acting Chair

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I think the papers will remain on the table.

Mr. Chair, Speaker Pelosi said she wants to get money out of politics. She said she wants free speech. But this sham puts more money into politics. It doesn't offer free speech; it offers forced speech.

In fact, for every dollar contributed to a candidate, the American taxpayer will be forced to contribute 6.

Now, let me say that again. For every dollar that is contributed to a candidate, an American taxpayer will be forced to contribute 6.

You heard it right, a 6-to-1 match, whether you support a candidate or not, whether you support their positions on life, the Second Amendment, immigration, taxes, or anything else--6 to 1.

The bill would also require same-day registration, nationwide. States already have the right to determine for themselves if they want same- day registration. My home State of Illinois has it. But with it, can come challenges in ensuring the accuracy of a voter's registration information.

I believe that every single legitimate vote needs to be counted-- every single legitimate vote--but it must be a single vote. And we are not just talking about one State. Multiply that by 50.

Without proper safeguards, my colleagues are leaving the States less capable of managing their voter systems. That is a big problem. This is a bad bill.

Mr. Chair, I urge the House to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1381, the Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act. As the ranking member said, I am a marine. As member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, caring for those veterans who have served our Nation, and protecting them, is a top priority for me. They should have the peace of mind in knowing that they will be cared for by a grateful Nation after having that time that they served.

I have had veterans come into my office with health problems, health problems that they shouldn't be having. They are young, and they don't have a family history. Sometimes, they just can't pinpoint the cause.

All too often, it can be from the use of burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is equally frustrating that the VA doesn't have enough data to fully understand the effects of burn pits.

We have seen this movie before. We saw it with people who were exposed to Agent Orange, people who were serving offshore, and the problems we have dealing with blue water Navy Vietnam veterans. They, too, faced the consequences of unknown exposure risks.

We must do better. This bill seeks to do that. This is a step forward. It is not a fix all, but at least we are trying to move in the direction that we need to move and not be trapped in the same situation we were with Agent Orange. Today's legislation is a bipartisan effort, and it puts our veterans first.

Madam Speaker, I have run a small business, and I know that any organization needs long-term certainty. No organization can successfully operate under a revolving door of short-term leaders, especially not one tasked with caring for America's heroes. Unfortunately, this is what is happening at our Nation's VA centers.

Almost 20 VA medical centers, nationwide, currently lack a permanent director. Some of these facilities have not been staffed by a permanent director in almost 2 years. Instead, these facilities are managed by short-term directors who stay on the job for just a few months.

There is just not a lot you can do in a few months. It is not nearly long enough to review operations, recommend improvements, and see these reforms brought through to an end. That is why I introduced bipartisan legislation with Mr. Costa from California that put an end to this revolving door. Our bill pushes the VA to hire permanent directors at all VA medical centers--no more interim directors.

We all want a VA system that can complete its mission to care for those who shall have borne the battle. Having consistent leadership is the least we can do for our Nation's heroes.

Assault on the First Amendment

Madam Speaker, I say to the people of southern Illinois and this country: Your constitutional rights are under assault. If you are a law-abiding gun owner, a sportsman, you need to pay attention.

This week, the House Democrats will bring a bill to the floor that will restrict your freedoms and do little to reduce gun violence.

As a father and a grandfather, I want to reduce gun violence as much as anyone, but we have to be smart. We can't get roped into scoring political points. That is why I worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle last year on a measure which is now law to increase security for our kids in the schools. But the gun control bill being considered this week makes it harder for law-abiding citizens to defend themselves and others against criminals who have guns.

We need to enforce the laws already on the books, not limit the rights of law-abiding citizens who want to protect their families.

Madam Speaker, on February 12, 2019, I was unavailable to vote in the House. Had I been present, I would have voted yea on Roll Call No. 76 and yea on Roll Call No. 77.

Madam Speaker, I was unavailable to vote in the House on January 30, 2019. Had I been present, I would have voted: Roll Call 60: NAY; Roll Call 61: NAY; Roll Call 62: YEA; Roll Call 63: YEA; Roll Call 64: YEA; and Roll Call 65: NAY.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel Peter Nezamis of Belleville.

It was recently announced that Colonel Nezamis will be promoted to brigadier general and will lead the Illinois Air National Guard, where he will lead over 3,000 personnel.

He commanded the Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing at Scott Air Force Base, which received the Outstanding Unit Award, under his guidance.

Colonel Nezamis has commanded numerous expeditionary operations and flew over 275 combat and combat support hours. He first joined the Air National Guard in 1986 and has served our State and Nation over 30 years.

Colonel Nezamis, we know you will serve the State and Nation to the best of your ability, and congratulations in your new role.

Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans

Mr. Speaker, I also rise to bring awareness about a coming crisis in our Nation's agricultural workforce.

According to USDA, the average age for a farmer is now 58 and has been on the rise for over 30 years. Our Nation faces a shortfall of 700,000 agricultural workers over the next 20 years.

How can we reverse this trend? According to the Department of Labor, 45 percent of armed servicemembers are from rural America. Many of our returning heroes struggle to find employment after serving our Nation.

Agriculture is a sensible solution to fill the economic gap our veterans face. That is why I joined with my friend and colleague on the House Agriculture Committee, Al Lawson of Florida, to introduce the Vets to Ag Act. Our bill streamlines the process for veterans getting apprenticeships in the agricultural industry.

Despite dysfunction in Washington, we are still fighting for bipartisan, commonsense solutions to help our farmers and our veterans. I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan effort.

Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Mr. Speaker, I also rise today in recognition of Human Trafficking and Prevention Month.

Human trafficking cases are on the rise nationwide. As the grandfather of 11 grandchildren, I am angry about that. My appreciation goes out to members of law enforcement who are on the front lines combating these crimes and making our communities safer.

Programs like the Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign help combat human trafficking. The program works to make sure, if trafficking victims are taken over the border, they are rescued or have a resource that they can turn to for help.

These are important steps, but there is still so much more work remaining. Both parties must work together to do our part in wiping out this evil before it does any more harm.