Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, we are excited today about the renewal of the American spirit. One big step in that renewal is the repeal of ObamaCare.

The ACA is failing and the American people are suffering because of it. Premiums have skyrocketed and healthcare decisions are no longer being made by patients and doctors but by out-of-touch Washington bureaucrats often motivated by their own self-interests.

In my State of Louisiana alone, some insurance providers have projected rates to increase as much as 41 percent in 2017. There is nothing about that number that is affordable, and many are choosing to forego healthcare coverage altogether, rather than suffer under the weight of the new, increased costs.

Some would suggest that a higher cost should imply a higher quality of care, but even that is not true under our current system. In many areas across the United States, ObamaCare has removed nearly all competition in the marketplace and has left consumers with only one or two providers to choose from, further removing patient choice from the process.

Patient-centered care is critical to a productive healthcare system, and Republicans in Congress have been working tirelessly to create a plan that benefits all Americans. Quality, affordable health care is within our reach. Contrary to what many in the media would have you believe, we will not pull the rug out from under the American people. Our focus is protecting patients, and what we are offering is a real solution to the disaster that is ObamaCare.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material in the Record.

Mr. Speaker, today a bipartisan group of 46 freshman Members of this 115th U.S. Congress, representing red and blue States from coast to coast, released a document that we have entitled the ``Commitment to Civility.''

This evening, I am grateful to be joined on the floor by 21 different leaders of our class, representing diverse districts in 15 different States across our great Nation to speak to this important and very timely issue.

This commitment document was created in early January following our initial meetings together as a class. We discussed our mutual intent to serve the best interest of the country, and to return to statesmanship that was revered and modeled by the great leaders of our history.

I drafted this document to memorialize our Members' agreement to, among other things, work towards restoring collegiality and civility in the Congress; encouraging more productive dialogue; and building consensus and strengthening the public's trust in America's institutions.

This document is not intended in any way as a criticism of anyone else in any other Chamber or branch of the government. Rather, it represents the mutual commitments of the Members of our class that we have made among and between ourselves.

As we teach our own children, we often have no control over what others may do, but we are ultimately responsible for our own actions. Personally, I want to say how encouraging it is to work with others from across the political spectrum who want to lead by example and work to restore civility in our public discourse. There may never have been a more important time for that very important effort.

I am one who is regarded as probably being among the most conservative Members of the Congress, and I will never deviate from my core principles. However, I am mindful to always remember that while some of my colleagues and I may have very different ideas and core political philosophies, at the end of the day, we are all Americans and we are all made in the image of God; thus, we believe we should act accordingly.

Before my esteemed colleagues come to share their thoughts on this important subject, I would like to introduce and read into the

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bergman).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the general for his service to our country.

I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Gallagher).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Carbajal).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Panetta).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Lewis).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Tenney).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Smucker).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Khanna).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick).

Mr. Speaker, I thank all these colleagues. We were anticipating remarks from Mr. Gonzalez of Texas, Mr. Comer of Kentucky, Mr. Raskin of Maryland, and Mr. Lawson of Florida, but their schedules have suddenly taken them away this evening.

Mr. Speaker, I will close.

As you can see, our commitment to civility is sincere and important to each of us and, we believe, to the Congress and to our country. As we said at the outset here, there may never have been a more important time for a commitment like this. Perhaps it is appropriate that our hour happened to be assigned here on this Valentine's Day.

I am reminded, as I close, of the biblical admonition given to us in Philippians, Chapter 2, Verses 3 through 4. It reads as follows: ``Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.''

Mr. Speaker, if we can do these things, we will do well by our exceptional Nation.

I thank all of my esteemed colleagues for participating tonight and all those who signed this commitment.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to rise and recognize the Cypress Baptist Church of Benton, Louisiana. For over thirty years, Cypress Baptist has blessed the lives of many in our region. Most recently, God has blessed Cypress Baptist Church with the means to expand their sanctuary to grow their ministry.

Their mission, ``to help people come to know Christ and to grow in Christ,'' has been modeled by the church's faithful congregation and their commitment to the Lord is unwavering. Because of their continued stewardship, more and more people are answering the call of God by being baptized and carrying out critical mission work.

Over the past two years the communities of Benton and Bossier City and surrounding areas have come together to help Cypress Baptist in its mission. This church has touched the lives of so many, and is growing exponentially, and it is only fitting that God rewards them with the blessing of more space to carry out their service.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Cypress Baptist Church and congratulate this pillar of our community on its continued dedication to the Kingdom. Their new sanctuary will be a true blessing to the people of our community. My wife, Kelly and I pray that the Spirit of the Lord continue to bless the congregation of Cypress Baptist Church.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to rise and recognize the Cypress Baptist Church of Benton, Louisiana. For over thirty years, Cypress Baptist has blessed the lives of many in our region. Most recently, God has blessed Cypress Baptist Church with the means to expand their sanctuary to grow their ministry.

Their mission, ``to help people come to know Christ and to grow in Christ,'' has been modeled by the church's faithful congregation and their commitment to the Lord is unwavering. Because of their continued stewardship, more and more people are answering the call of God by being baptized and carrying out critical mission work.

Over the past two years the communities of Benton and Bossier City and surrounding areas have come together to help Cypress Baptist in its mission. This church has touched the lives of so many, and is growing exponentially, and it is only fitting that God rewards them with the blessing of more space to carry out their service.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am priviledged to recognize Cypress Baptist Church and congratulate this pillar of our community on its continued dedication to the Kingdom. Their new sanctuary will be a true blessing to the people of our community. My wife, Kelly and I pray that the Spirit of the Lord continue to bless the congregation of Cypress Baptist Church.