Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a life that was lost too soon. Staff Sergeant Carl Enis from Tallahassee was tragically killed in the Black Hawk helicopter crash that claimed the lives of seven members of the United States Air Force in western Iraq last week.

Sergeant Enis graduated from Florida State University, and went on to get his MBA in 2017. He chose to selflessly serve our country and he joined the Air Force after college, serving as a pararescueman, where he performed combat rescue missions as a member of the elite 308th Rescue Squadron.

Sergeant Enis loved the outdoors, and he even had a blog about hunting, fishing, and hiking. He was loved and respected by all who met him.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Staff Sergeant Carl Enis and all of our fallen heroes who gave their last full measure of devotion to this country to make Americans safe at home and abroad.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Walter Dartland--a leader in Florida who recently lost his battle with lymphoma. He was a gentleman and an honest man.

Throughout his life, Walter worked to help people, whether that be in the Marine Corps, or as a university professor back home in Florida, he always gave of himself to better the lives of others.

Walter was an attorney by trade, and spent much of his life fighting for the ``little guy'' in consumer advocacy. In fact, one of his greatest achievements was Florida's Lemon Law--protecting car buyers across the state from vehicles that were brand new, but faulty.

Walter dedicated his life to giving a voice to those who needed it most. Aside from advocacy, his wife of 36 years Diana, children, and grandchildren were the greatest joys in his life.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the memory of Walter Dartland. He was a class act and a sincere advocate for the very best of America. Semper Fi.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding teacher from Wakulla County, Florida's Second Congressional District.

Katrina Roddenberry, a science teacher at Wakulla Middle School, was selected by the Space Foundation as one of 31 educators worldwide who were honored for her work promoting science and space curricula at Wakulla Middle School. Along with this honor, Ms. Roddenberry and her colleague, Melissa Martin, were selected to work with NASA as part of their Microgravity University for Educators 2018 Challenge.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will give these teachers and four of their students the chance to work directly with the experts at NASA. It is clear that they are inspiring a love of science and space in their students. These teachers are forming not just strong minds but also strong characters and big hearts in young men and women with a sense of community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Ms. Roddenberry and thanking her for instilling a love of science and space in our next generation

Mr. Speaker, our troops comprise the most professional, highly trained, and dedicated military force that the world has ever seen. They have pledged their lives, the well-being of their families, and their sacred honor to serve and protect this Nation.

Yet here we are, over a month into 2018, and our military and national security are being held hostage by our colleagues across the aisle over unrelated issues.

It is time for the Senate to get its act together. The House has passed the full defense funding three times this year. Tonight, we will pass it a fourth time.

It is wrong for us to send our best young men and women into harm's way without the resources they need, asking them to make up with their efforts, and their risk, for our shortcomings.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this funding legislation and to prove to our troops that we have their backs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Thank you to all who put their lives at risk every day and night to keep our families safe. Our law enforcement and first responders run into danger so that others can escape it.

Last year, we passed the Thin Blue Line Act to ensure that those who commit crimes against our law enforcement will be held accountable and seek justice for those murdered in the line of duty. I am committed to continuing to fight for the officers of the thin blue line.

Every day, despite great personal risks, law enforcement officers across the country put on their uniforms and carry out their duties to protect and serve. They have our backs, let's have theirs.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Panama City Beach Fire Chief John Daly on his retirement.

Chief Daly served the people of Panama City Beach for 33 years and willingly took up the responsibility to run into the fire, putting his life on the line to save others countless times.

When he began his career with Panama City Beach Fire and Rescue in 1985, there were only seven career firefighters. Today that number has grown to 35 as our city has grown and thrived. John was promoted to chief in 2002 and has remained an outstanding leader ever since. He considers the firefighters under his watch to be family, and he knows that they will continue to do great things under the leadership of the new fire chief, Larry Couch.

Madam Speaker, please join me in saying thank you to Chief Daly, his wife, Joan, and their daughters for their years of service and sacrifice, and wish them luck as they enjoy a new chapter in life.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1159) to provide for continuing cooperation between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Israel Space Agency, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 1159, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, the United States and Israel Space Cooperation Act deserves

our support. The peaceful use of outer space and cooperation with our friends and allies lie at the very heart of NASA's mission.

The United States has been a partner and a friend to the Israeli space program since its creation three decades ago. Our voyages have brought us closer together as nations, as partners, and as friends. Our shared quests for peace, knowledge, and friendship echo our experiences together on Earth.

But sadness and sorrow have tested that relationship. Israel's first astronaut, Ilan Ramon, flew to space for the first time on the ill- fated Space Shuttle Columbia. Even though that accident tragically ended the life of Ilan and six U.S. crew members, the U.S. and Israel turned that tragedy into hope, working together even more closely.

In 2015, the U.S. and Israel again renewed their partnership with another 10-year commitment to peaceful cooperation in space. That mutual commitment to the peaceful exploration of outer space has grown even stronger with the passage of this act under consideration today.

Peaceful space exploration offers all humanity a common, noble goal, extending our collective reach further into the heavens. Reaching farther and broadening our understanding of the universe is one of the most important and honorable challenges that we can face together. I believe that working together with our allies and partners on the peaceful exploration of space is an essential part of what makes NASA a vital national asset. This bill strengthens NASA's ability to do this important work.

I am also pleased that the bill includes a recognition that sensitive and proprietary information should be protected.

Mr. Speaker, I invite all of my colleagues to join me in support of the United States and Israel Space Cooperation Act.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4323) to promote veteran involvement in STEM education, computer

science, and scientific research, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 4323, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4323, the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act, is about helping expand veterans' job and education opportunities in the sciences.

The bill requires the National Science Foundation to develop a veterans outreach plan and to publish data on veterans' participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields in its annual Indicators report.

The bill also updates the Noyce Teacher Scholarship program, its fellowship programs, and cyber grant programs to include outreach to veterans.

Additionally, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is tasked with overseeing an interagency working group to examine how to increase veteran participation in STEM career fields, including addressing any barriers for servicemembers and their spouses.

In the next 5 years, between 1 and 1.5 million members of the United States Armed Forces will be leaving the military, according to the Department of Defense. Many of these veterans will be seeking new careers. By a great margin, veterans cite finding employment as their number one need when returning home.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations in the STEM fields are projected to grow to more than 9 million between 2012 and 2022, an increase of 1 million jobs.

Research shows that many military veterans already have skills and training that align with STEM careers, particularly in information technology. However, research has also shown that veterans face many barriers as they reenter the workforce, including a lack of formal STEM education, career guidance, and the difficult task of transferring military credits to civilian credits.

Our Nation's veterans deserve every opportunity to transition to a healthy

and successful civilian life. This bill will help our servicemembers to continue to serve our Nation in many new ways by filling 21st century jobs and keeping America on the cutting edge of innovation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Mr. Takano, the ranking vice chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and a fellow member on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, for cosponsoring this bipartisan legislation. I also salute all of my fellow veterans on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee who joined me in introducing this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I am excited.

For the first time in decades, I can dare to hope that we will not crush our children's future with debt.

As our House and Senate colleagues work hard to shape the details of a final bill, we can see the goal line:

We will lower rates across the board for hardworking taxpayers in all brackets;

We will provide relief to small businesses and farms throughout our Nation so that America can compete and win; and

We will simplify the Tax Code.

Mr. Speaker, you shouldn't need an army of lawyers and accountants to do your taxes. Americans deserve a Tax Code where everyone plays by the same rules and a code that projects a lifetime of savings.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to work together, give America the healthy economy it deserves, and support the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Cottondale Future Farmers of America Agricultural Communications Team for representing the Second District of Florida at both the state and national FFA competitions. The Cottondale team--Caleb Reed, Laramie Pooser, Carl Young, and Kasey Lathan, along with their advisor, Stan Scurlock, placed first in the state competition and 11th nationally, where they were recognized as a National FFA Gold Team.

These bright students were tasked with creating and implementing a campaign to recognize a member of their local FFA chapter through webpage design, opinion writing, video production, and more. Their devotion to learning about the agricultural communications industry is inspiring.

Agriculture is vital to the economy and livelihood of North Florida and I am confident the industry will continue to thrive with dedicated students like Caleb, Laramie, Carl, and Kasey leading the way.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Cottondale Future Farmers of America Agricultural Communications Team and wish them luck in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This commonsense legislation ensures that our Second Amendment rights don't end when we cross State lines.

We are all aware of the story of Shaneen Allen, a mother of three who was pulled over in New Jersey after committing a minor traffic violation. She told the police legally that she had a handgun on her person and a concealed carry permit. She was unaware that the permit was not transferable to New Jersey, and she had no prior criminal record. Nonetheless, she spent 40 days in a jail cell.

Americans like Shaneen are exposed to real risks of accidentally breaking the law of another State simply by exercising their constitutional right. This bill ensures that valid concealed carry permits from one State are valid in all other States.

It creates legal protections for law-abiding gun owners against States that violate this statute.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this important legislation and to show the American people the Second Amendment is safe with us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jefferson County Sheriff David Hobbs, who passed away this week after a brave battle with cancer.

Sheriff Hobbs loved Jefferson County and its people. He was born and raised there. He served the County and the state of Florida in law enforcement for more than 30 years, including 11 with Florida Highway Patrol and 8 years as a deputy sheriff in Jefferson County. He was first elected Sheriff in 2004. He was also a Marine Corps reservist.

Sheriff Hobbs dedicated his life to serving and protecting others, putting himself in harm's way so others could live safe and free. And he truly loved his colleagues at the Sheriff's office. Serving in law enforcement is not just a job. For him, it was a calling.

In later years, Sheriff Hobbs was passionately involved with the American Cancer Society, spreading awareness by sharing his story battling the disease.

We owe Sheriff Hobbs a great debt of gratitude. Please join me in honoring the life and legacy of Jefferson County Sheriff David Hobbs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a decorated combat veteran and distinguished public servant as one of the newest inductees into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame.

This week, Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs honored John Thrasher for his continued commitment to the State of Florida.

John currently serves as the president of Florida State University, where he earned his bachelor's and law degrees. John joined the United States Army after graduating from FSU and went on to receive two Bronze Stars while serving in Vietnam, eventually earning the rank of captain.

He has been an advocate for veterans throughout his entire life, especially while serving as the speaker of the house in Florida and later as senator. Under his leadership as president, FSU has become one of the top universities in the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating FSU President John Thrasher for being inducted into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame and thanking him for his continued service to our veterans.

Mr. Speaker, this is a historic week, one that has been 31 years in the making. In a once-in-a-generation vote, we will vote to cut taxes for the middle class and unleash the power of the American economy.

Our Tax Code is more than 70,000 pages of opaque rules and regulations

that cost Americans money and jobs. In critical ways, our Tax Code gives explicit economic advantage to our foreign competitors. That changes with this bill.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act puts the American taxpayer and the American economy first. The bill cuts taxes for individuals and families in every tax bracket.

By lowering rates, doubling the standard deduction, and increasing the child tax credit, hardworking American families can keep more money in their paychecks. The average family of four earning $55,000 will see a tax cut of over $1,000.

This bill will supercharge our economy by making everyone play by the same rules. It substantially reduces taxes on small businesses and manufacturers. This means more jobs, more money, and more opportunity for American workers.

Tax reform is the single best thing we can do for our economy. I urge all my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, let me start by saying thank you to Vice Chairman Bilirakis; and to our chairman, Dr. Roe; and also to the ranking member, Sergeant Major Walz from Minnesota. It has been great to work with them. They have been very helpful with this bill.

I am honored to speak in support of my legislation, H.R. 2601, the Veterans Increased Choice for Transplanted Organs and Recovery, or VICTOR, Act.

America owes our veterans every advantage when it comes to receiving an organ or bone marrow transplant, yet the current VA transplant policy often runs counter to the medical interest of the patient. There are only 14 facilities in the Nation where a veteran may receive a transplant in the VA healthcare system, and none of these facilities perform all types of transplants.

Timely organ transplants often represent the difference between life and death. Unfortunately, due to government bureaucracy, our veterans are often forced to travel hundreds or thousands of miles repeatedly in order to get the chance to receive a new liver, heart, or kidney. That travel alone can prove fatal.

Traveling to get a transplant isn't the only obstacle these patients face. Oftentimes, it is the program itself. The limited size and scope of the VA transplant program means veterans have a lower chance of getting a transplant and a greater chance of dying while on the waiting list.

The VICTOR Act allows veterans who need an organ or bone marrow transplant through the VA system the ability to access a federally certified transplant center close to their home if the veteran and their doctor agree that that is medically safer. It will make it easier for veterans to access lifesaving medical care by allowing them a number of ways to qualify for care closer to home.

As a surgeon and as a veteran, I believe this is good medicine and good public policy. The status quo puts roadblocks in front of veterans who need lifesaving transplant care, and the VICTOR Act eliminates these roadblocks and increases access to care our veterans have earned.