Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Korea, I rise today to Congratulate President Moon Jae-in on his recent election victory and to warmly welcome him to Washington. His trip to our nation's capital comes at a pivotal time, and I look forward to working together to strengthen the important bond between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

Just last month, the Korean people went to the ballot box and elected President Moon Jae-in in free and fair elections--highlighting

the strength and vibrancy of Korea's democracy. The R.O.K., a successful and stable democracy surrounded by autocrats and dictators, continues to serve as the lynchpin of U.S. foreign policy in the Asia Pacific region.

Tensions are rising on the Korean Peninsula, and President Moon Jae- in's visit to strengthen the U.S.-R.O.K alliance could not have arrived at a more pivotal time. North Korea continues to provoke the international community by conducting multiple missile tests and has yet to cease its unrelenting aggression against our democratic allies in the region. As his visit begins, I wish President Moon a successful summit with President Trump and look forward to working closely with the Trump Administration, and the Moon Administration to enhance the safety, security, stability, and success of the Korean Peninsula.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Palatine on being named one of the safest cities in the United States. The Village of Palatine was named the fifty-first safest city on Neighborhood Scout's list of America's 100 Safest Cities.

Working together, law enforcement, local officials, and the community have made Palatine a safer place to live, work, and raise a family. The residents of Palatine should never underestimate the impact that each citizen's positive actions can have. Every day there are members of the community helping to change lives, while also inspiring their peers to do the same.

I would be remiss to not also mention the wonderful job of the Palatine Police and Fire Departments. Day in and day out the men and women of the Palatine Police and Fire Departments risk their lives to protect their community. Their bravery and courage are very deserving of our recognition and admiration and I am pleased to see their service has led to Palatine being named one of the safest cities in America.

Mr. Speaker and Distinguished Colleagues, please join me in recognizing the Village of Palatine, Illinois and congratulating them on being named one of the safest cities in America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the incorporation of Warrenville, Illinois.

Warrenville, whose motto is ``For a Visit, Or a Lifetime'', is a model for other cities and towns to follow, through its continued dedication to building a friendly and welcoming community for residents and visitors alike.

In the years since its first permanent settlers, Julius and Daniel Warren, and its incorporation, Warrenville has become a center of culture and commerce, serving as a home to families, businesses, professionals, churches and organizations that have made this a vibrant and thriving community. Warrenville's first major establishment was a tavern created by Julius Warren. This legacy of brewing has been kept alive by the craft brewing company, Two Brothers Brewing, who are one of the most popular Illinois brewing companies in the United States. Warrenville also boasts a multitude of parks; and youth and family friendly activities make this a great place to work, live, and raise a family. The city is also a shining example of fiscal responsibility, as it has no bonded debt. This fact should make residents, employers, and civil servants tremendously proud.

On the occasion of this 50th Anniversary, we join together to celebrate Warrenville's legacy of growth and prosperity and to look ahead to the opportunities facing this great village and our nation. Today both marks 50 years of working together to build a brighter future, and reminds us that our work continues.

Mr. Speaker and Distinguished Colleagues, please join me in recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the incorporation of Warrenville, Illinois, and wishing her residents a very successful year ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Carol Stream on being named one of the safest cities in the United States. The Village of Carol Stream was named the eighty-ninth safest city on Neighborhood Scout's list of America's 100 Safest Cities.

Working together, law enforcement, local officials, and the community have made Carol Stream a safer place to live, work, and raise a family. The residents of Carol Stream should never underestimate the impact each citizen's positive actions can have. Everyday there are members of the community helping to change lives, while also inspiring their peers to do the same.

I would be remiss to not also mention the wonderful job of the Carol Stream Police and Fire Departments. Day in and day out the men and women of the Carol Stream Police and Fire Departments risk their lives to protect our community. Their bravery and courage are very deserving of our recognition and admiration, and I am pleased to see their service has led to Carol Stream being named one of the safest cities in America.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the Village of Carol Stream, Illinois and congratulating them on being named one of the safest cities in America.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Walberg.

There is an irony here, and it is an irony I think that is worth pointing out. This is, obviously, in the context, like the gentlewoman from California pointed out, of the fiduciary rule, which we are familiar with. That was an effort by the Obama administration to promulgate a new rule to create a new standard that would have an impact, Mr. Speaker, on investment advice.

It was clear that the net result of that was to do what? It would have crowded people out at the lower end of the economic spectrum, not give them access to the coverage or the advice that they needed, because the advice, Mr. Speaker, would have been too expensive, and it would have created the self-fulfilling prophecy, unfortunately, where wealthier people, who can afford it, are able to get good advice.

It was a terrible idea. We worked on a bipartisan basis. The administration

wouldn't have any part of the bipartisan solution. They jammed the rule down. It was a bad idea.

Yet, the same administration, Mr. Speaker, is now saying to the entities that we really shouldn't have confidence in, that is States and localities on these pensions, you have more flexibility. So think about it. Taking away flexibility from people who need help, locking them out, not intentionally, but locking them out, and yet giving more flexibility to the very entities that have demonstrated that they have not used that properly.

It is ironic. I mean, you can't make this up, basically. We need to do what we can, and here is what we can do. We can support this resolution, H.J. Res. 66--and 67--move its passage, reset this debate, and fundamentally have a new discussion about this, but we don't have to yield to these poor plans from the Obama administration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a dedicated public servant from the Sixth Congressional District of Illinois, Mayor Michael ``Mickey'' Straub of Burr Ridge. Almost five years ago, Mayor Straub embarked on a historic and patriotic pilgrimage in honor

of Lincoln and our veterans when he visited 50 capitols in 50 days.

In 2012, between September 4 and October 17, Mayor Straub drove nearly 15,000 miles to 48 state capitols and flew to two others--Hawaii and Alaska. His momentous journey began in Pennsylvania, and after a small ceremony in Gettysburg outside the home where Lincoln finished writing the Address, he traveled to the state capitol in Harrisburg. Forty-three days later, he concluded his capitol journey in Springfield, Illinois in front of the Lincoln Tomb.

The historic and record breaking trip was no easy task. The trip cost over $20,000 and added a great many miles to his Lincoln Town Car, homage to the 16th President. Nevertheless, Mayor Straub remained steadfast in his belief that the journey was a great success due to God and the American people saying, ``I launched the trip on behalf of God and country, but it was actually God and country that pulled me through. It started more about principles and patriotism, but it was the people who kept me going.''

Mayor Straub has represented his community well and has been a strong voice for the Village of Burr Ridge throughout his time in office. His service to the people of Burr Ridge and to Illinois is truly commendable. It is our hope that the public will continue to benefit from his involvement as a valued member of the community and Mayor of Burr Ridge.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mayor Mickey Straub on his historic journey across the United States, and also taking his lead in remembering the spirit of the Gettysburg Address and President Lincoln.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished public servant from the Illinois's 6th Congressional District. Valerie Salmons has dedicated many years to her community, including 35 years with the Village of Bartlett. Valerie's service is not limited to Bartlett, as she has made many positive impacts throughout the greater Chicago area.

In 1982, Valerie was hired by the Village of Bartlett as their first full-time Village Administrator. Since then, the Village's population has grown three fold and is now considered home by more than 30,000 people. The Village's growth did not stop there. Along with an increasing population, the Village has doubled its size from eight to almost sixteen square miles. She has been an asset to numerous presidents, managers, and board members, who have been a part of Bartlett Village Hall. Current Village President Kevin Wallace noted Valerie's leadership was ``very comforting'' saying, ``She has been a wonderful Village Administrator, and the proof is in the way the Village operates''.

While working full time to serve her community, Valerie fostered economic development and broadened Bartlett's commercial tax base. She has helped lead the municipal staff with major changes to the downtown, and was a major force behind the many successful commercial projects, such as the Brewster Creek Business Park, Bluff City Industrial Park and Blue Heron Business Park. She also played an essential role in the development of parks, playgrounds, athletic fields and bike paths, while always practicing careful fiscal management.

In addition to her work for Bartlett, Valerie was the first woman appointed to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board in 1990. Former Gov. Jim Thompson initially named Valerie, and five Illinois governors have reappointed her since. She was also the first woman elected to serve as the board's chairwoman.

Through hard work and no small amount of perseverance, Valerie has helped countless people and tremendously improved her community. Distinguished Members, please join me in congratulating Valerie on 35 years of service and wish her well in retirement.

Madam Speaker, I have got a prediction to make, and here is my prediction: In the course of this debate, the opponents of H.R. 7 will not acknowledge nor give voice to Congressman Smith's claim of saving 2 million lives. Why? Because to acknowledge 2 million lives that are saved is to acknowledge the weakness of an argument; that is, those people are to be dismissed.

Madam Speaker, how do you dismiss 2 million people? How do you dismiss 2 million people, over 60,000 people every year?

If you can imagine what it would be like if someone came in here and with certainty, absolute confidence, said unambiguously, if you pass this law you are going to save 2 million lives, we would line up. We would be voting on that over and over and over again.

And yet, my prediction is, during the remainder of this debate-- because we have not heard about it so far--the opponents will be silent about those 2 million lives.

We need to vote for this and save lives in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to recognize Steve Spear of Carol Stream, Illinois, for his outstanding display of service for those in need.

On December 31st, Steve completed his annual Reflection Run to raise money for clean water in Africa through Team World Vision. Each year, Steve celebrates his New Year's Eve birthday by running a kilometer for each year of his life, and is now up to 53, or 32.9 miles. On his most recent Reflection Run, Steve was joined by 25 other runners and their goal was to raise $10,000, enough to bring clean water to 200 people.

In 2013, Steve left his pastoral position at Willow Creek Community Church to take on an unbelievable task. He ran from Los Angeles to New York, 35 miles a day, 5 days a week, for 5 months, and raised $500,000. The two days per week he was not running, he was addressing congregations across the country about the importance of following God and looking out for our fellow man. His Reflection Run teammate, Alex Schorr described his passion for helping others best, saying, ``Everything Steve does is incredible and inspirational, everything from the Reflection Runs to running across the country. It's never about him. It's always about those he's running on behalf of.''

Steve has demonstrated exceptional charity and service, and I am proud to represent him. He is a leader and role model for all Americans. Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending Steve Spear for his extraordinary commitment to those around the world who need our help the most.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the incorporation of Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

From its early origins, Rolling Meadows has been a model for other cities and towns to follow, through its continued dedication to building a friendly and welcoming community for residents and visitors alike.

In the years since its founding in 1955 by Orrin Ford, Rolling Meadows has become a center of culture and commerce, serving as a home to families, businesses, professionals, churches and organizations that have made this a vibrant and thriving community. Over the years, Rolling Meadows has developed a well-deserved reputation as a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.

Rolling Meadows has a lasting legacy of service and prosperity. On this special occasion, in addition to celebrating the incorporation of their town, the community will also be honoring 60 original residents and two local businesses that have operated for the entirety of the last 60 years. This impressive milestone is a testament to the strong foundation built at Rolling Meadows' founding and maintained still today.

Mr. Speaker and Distinguished Colleagues, please join me in recognizing the 60th anniversary of the incorporation of Rolling Meadows, Illinois and wishing her residents a very successful year ahead.

I thank Chairman Ryan for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from California said that we needed to use agnostic scrutiny when we are evaluating these. I think it is a little bit ambitious to have a roomful of agnostics when we are all true believers. We all come in with an agenda.

An agnostic, Mr. Speaker, would look at the four things in the bill that we are contemplating today and would say of all four of these things: Surely these are not going to get caught up and swept away in tax reform; surely, it is not going to be how we are treating food charities; surely, it is not going to be how we are dealing with conservation easements; surely, it is not how we are treating IRA contributions to charities; and surely, it is not trying to make private foundations and give them a sure footing. Surely, these are the things we can all agree on based on agnostic scrutiny.

Did you notice something, Mr. Speaker? There is nobody on the other side of the aisle who has stood up today and said: The food charity thing? Disaster. I'm against that. Or: Conservation easements? Ridiculous. Look into that a little bit more. Or: The IRA contributions? Be careful there. Or: Private foundations, getting them all squared away? I'm against it. Not one person said that.

So what was their argument? They wrap themselves up in process. But by wrapping themselves up in process, they have opened themselves up to criticism, because if we had gone a different route, if the chairman had taken a different path, they would have said: Chairman Ryan, why don't you start on things where there is bipartisan agreement? And here the chairman is bringing bills to the floor that have been enthusiastically, actively supported, Mr. Speaker, by our friends on the other side of the aisle. Why have they supported them? Because they are good ideas. This is where there is an incredible amount of common ground.

There have been some false arguments made on the other side that are just not that persuasive, and the argument by the gentleman from Texas created the impression that if you vote ``yes'' on this, then we are not going to be able to afford meat inspectors. We are not going to be able to have bridges or a cure for cancer. It is somehow out of our reach. Spare me.

Mr. Speaker, I am reminded at times like this of a letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1790 to a man named Charles Clay. I am going to give you three lines from this letter that I have committed to memory because I think it deeply resonates where most Americans are when they look at our House today.

Thomas Jefferson wrote this to Charles Clay. He said:

The ground of liberty is to be gained by inches. We must be

content what we can get from time to time and eternally press

forward for what is yet to get. It takes time to persuade men

even to do what is for their own good.

Mr. Speaker, that is Jefferson's admonition--no stranger to vision, no stranger to the big picture as the author of the Declaration of Independence.

We don't walk away from tax reform, the aspiration that we all have, but it is to say: Look, if we are going to be agnostically scrutinizing these things, even an agnostic would say this ought not to be caught in the crossfire.

We ought to vote ``yes'' for this bill and move it along.

Mr. Speaker, on roll call no. 51 I had an unavoidable conflict. Had I been present, I would have voted aye.

Mr. Speaker, on roll call no. 52 I had an unavoidable conflict. Had I been present, I would have voted AYE.

Mr. Speaker, on roll call no. 53, I had an unavoidable conflict. Had I been present, I would have voted AYE.

I thank the chairman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I look at this from an entirely different perspective. I look at this as the House of Representatives asserting its will, speaking out, and saying, no, we are not going to be silent in the movement of the President of the United States. If we had done nothing, Mr. Chairman, then the subsequent argument in weeks to come would have been, well, you did nothing. You were silent. You waived your right to assert yourself. You have the power of the purse, and you did nothing.

Well, clearly, we are not doing nothing. Clearly, we are taking it up. And now here it is. We are coming together and we are saying that we don't believe the President has this authority. We are asserting that, and this bill will be debated.

But at the underlying level there is something absolutely incredibly significant and very bright that is happening, regardless of what side of the aisle you are on, because do you know what we are talking about? We are talking about defending a country that we all hold dear.

There was a story I heard from an exchange student, Mr. Chairman, who came to visit the United States. She was asked about her time here-- this was a young college student--and they said: What made the biggest impression upon you during your time in the United States? She said this: The number of people who came up to me and said, ``What do you hope to do for a living? What do you want to do?'' And it was totally different for this girl, because the culture that she was coming from, that wasn't her experience, but she came to the United States and there was a brightness to it, an opportunity to it, and a freshness to it. She found it so exciting and so dynamic. That is what we are fighting about. That is what we are fighting for. We are fighting for a nation, to defend a great nation, and to celebrate a great nation. That is worth taking up.

So, look, there are very big differences in this House in the direction to move. There are very deep differences in this House about how we need to deal with the immigration problem.

Mr. Chairman, we all need to realize the brightness of this moment.

So I respect my colleague and his differences. I respect the other side and their differences. I think we need to go back to Thomas Jefferson, who said this, Mr. Chairman. Jefferson wrote a letter in 1790 to a guy named Charles Clay. He said:

The ground of liberty is to be gained by inches, and we

must be contented to secure what we can get from time to time

and eternally press forward for what is yet to get. It

takes time to persuade men to do even what is for their

own good.

Mr. Chairman, this is a game of inches. We need to prevail, we need to move forward, and we need to come together.