Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Monday next.

Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call Number 555 on agreeing to the McClintock Substitute Amendment to H. Con. Res. 71, I am not recorded. Had I been present, I would have voted nay.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Project Self- Sufficiency, based in Newton, New Jersey, serving Sussex and Warren counties, on the occasion of its 30th Anniversary.

Project Self-Sufficiency was founded in 1987 with the core mission of improving families' lives by providing childcare, educating and helping single parents find jobs. Since 1987, the organization continues to stay true to its mission by emphasizing the importance of community. Project Self-Sufficiency's staff members live in the community and many, were once themselves, beneficiaries of its services.

The first Founding Board President, Michael J. Holub, played a huge role in creating the essence of Project Self-Sufficiency. Michael was a supporter in the early stages and helped nurture the project into an organization that works to enhance the lives of local community members every day.

One amazing story that comes to mind is Matthew. Matthew was 17 years old when he found out he had a daughter on the way. He knew this would bring many changes and he needed to, in his words, ``man-up''. He went from being a teenager sitting on his couch to working a wide variety of jobs. Even though he was making money, at 22, he still did not have his high school diploma. When Matthew joined New Jersey Youth Corps of Sussex, which at the time was a new program, he found the missing puzzle piece in his life. Through this program he was able to gain experience at his community internships and earn his GED. He graduated from the Youth Corps and his daughter was able to witness her father get his diploma and understand the power of education.

Project Self-Sufficiency has grown tremendously in the past 30 years in both the hearts and homes of residents in Sussex and Warren counties. The organization began with two staff members, who within the first year, were able to help 343 single parents and their children. Project Self-Sufficiency began as a small and passionate organization, which surpassed public expectations.

More than 25,000 families have been helped by Project Self- Sufficiency, not including the 30,000 children whose quality of life has improved immensely from this organization. Project Self-Sufficiency has helped 12,000 adults in the surrounding area in career training, and out of that number, 9,000 adults have been granted employment. This organization has conducted over 38,000 home visits and has helped families in need receive services from Project Self-Sufficiency.

Project Self-Sufficiency has always put their clients first, which is what makes them continue to be the successful organization it is today.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in congratulating Project Self-Sufficiency on the occasion of its 30th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Caldwell Public Library, located in the Borough of Caldwell, New Jersey, on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary.

The forerunner of the present Caldwell Public Library dates back to the post-Revolutionary War era. Pioneers purchased books and founded a library in 1804. The number of books increased relatively few to over five hundred volumes in the ensuing years. As a result of personal or home ownership of books, the interest in the library waned, resulting in its dissolution in 1835.

In early 1894, Caldwell High School held a faculty meeting to discuss reading material for students. At that time, nothing was available except books owned by the residents in the community. After several meetings concerning this matter, the committee concluded that a library was needed for the students as well as for the greater public.

On December 4, 1894, the library opened its doors and the circulation for that first day was thirty-five books. Patrons paid a very small fee to borrow books. For several years, this was the sole source of library revenue.

By 1907, Professor Hedden, Superintendent of Schools, requested the Caldwell Borough Council to submit to the voters a referendum to establish a free library under the State Library Act. The measure was ultimately accepted and approved.

On June 8, 1908 a letter from the Carnegie Library Foundation offered a sum of seven thousand five hundred dollars to construct a library. For the next nine years, the library board was confronted with problems, which hindered the construction of a new edifice. Acquiring a suitable location was the principal issue, until Mr. George W. Canfield of West Caldwell, generously donated $2,000.00 toward the purchase of a site for the library. With the contribution, and donations from other interested persons, a total of $3,000.00 was accumulated to purchase a new location.

On October 12, 1917 the Caldwell Library was formally dedicated. Mayor Peck, who, at the time, was President of the Library Trustees, was delivered the key of the building.

During the First World War, the Council of National Defense made an appeal for magazines and books for soldiers on transport ships. Miss Hasler designated the library as a collection center for books from this area. The public responded enthusiastically by donating more than five hundred volumes.

On Armistice Day, November 12, 1919, two bronze tablets, installed on each side of the front entrance of the Caldwell Library, were dedicated and unveiled during auspicious ceremonies. On Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the James Caldwell Post 185 of the American Legion, and various local veterans organizations conduct joint exercises at this memorial.

This event served as a turning point for Caldwell, in that the library became a focal point for the community; generating civic volunteerism. The ``Friends of the Library,'' continue to this day to promote its goals.

The purpose and aim of Caldwell library is to meet the cultural and intellectual needs of the people of the area. It is with this goal in mind that the library hopes to continue and expand its services to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in congratulating the Caldwell Public Library on the occasion of its Centennial Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Opera at Florham, located in Fairleigh Dickinson University, in the Borough of Madison, New Jersey, on the occasion of their 35th Anniversary. From humble beginnings, this organization's mission is to educate and provide affordable operatic and related musical performances.

In 1982 Violetta DuPont co-founded the organization as an extension of Fairleigh Dickinson University's Music Department. Since then Opera at Florham has been providing outstanding operatic and other vocal selections from the American Song Book. Each performance features three outstanding vocalists who have performed across the country. To this day, Opera at Florham is New Jersey's only long running opera recital series.

Part of Opera at Florham's mission is to provide stage and role opportunities to young and upcoming artists. The inaugural Violetta DuPont Vocal Competition was held in 1987. This annual competition provides young operatic talent an opportunity to compete for cash prizes in front of judges and a live audience. In 1995, Opera at Florham became a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization and continues to be affiliated with Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Opera at Florham is most known for its staged opera. Each season four musicales are performed in Lenfell Hall at Fairleigh Dickinson University, in the former residence of the Vanderbilt's and Twombley's. These musicales are priced affordably, yet feature high artistic excellence. These events showcase the drama, passion, music, and story that good opera is known for.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in congratulating Opera at Florham on the occasion of their 35th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP as it holds its annual convention in the Township of Parsippany, part of New Jersey's 111th Congressional District. I am honored to have Morris County host the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. The New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP is commended for bringing together advocates in one place under the theme: ``Relating to the Past, Understanding the Present, Preparing for the future.''

The NAACP has more than 500,000 members throughout the world serving as key leaders in civil rights, campaigning for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization. New Jersey, the nation's most densely populated state, has 41 branches, 9 college chapters, a prison unit, 15 youth councils, and 2 high school chapters devoting its time, through volunteerism, to close the gaps of inequality in the many social issues challenging us today--health, employment, education, justice, media and the environment. New Jerseyans are working hard to ensure the legacies of the great Civil Rights Leaders before us, live on. Richard T. Smith, New Jersey's NAACP Chapter President, was just named one of New Jersey's ``Most Influential African-Americans'' in South Jersey Journal. In Richard's words, ``we will fight for freedom until all people have realized the equal hand of justice.'' With esteemed commendation, I thank Mr. Smith for his leadership and wish the New Jersey State NAACP conference a successful convention and year ahead.

By bringing together the state's leaders in education, religion, business, health care, public policy, and social advocacy, the convention fosters the very conversations we need to be having in order to break down racial barriers, move the nation forward and reach equality for Americans once and for all.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Madam Speaker, the appropriations package before us this morning puts the House on the right path to completing its annual appropriations work for the entire Federal Government--on time and on budget.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, as we conclude discussion on our 12- bill package, I rise to urge support of H.R. 3354 and to thank the 12 chairs and ranking members who led the great work on these bills as well as the many Members who offered amendments in this open and free and, I may say, rather civil discussion.

This package prioritizes our domestic and national security to keep our people safe, supports our troops, strengthens law enforcement, secures our borders, and helps get our economy moving, and it deserves bipartisan support.

Over the past week, the House has debated hundreds of amendments in this appropriations legislation. Combined with the thousands of Member requests included in the base text, these bills are truly representative of our shared American values.

I want to thank all my colleagues for their time and consideration of one another throughout this process.

Tomorrow the House will vote to finalize all 12 appropriations bills before the fiscal year deadline of September 30.

We have not had what is referred to and what is called regular order for a long time--in nearly a decade. And what's more, we have done all 12 bills under a very abbreviated time schedule. From June 12 to July 20--just over 1 month--the Appropriations Committee has held 12 subcommittee markups and 12 full committee markups, putting in hundreds of hours debating hundreds of amendments. The legislation on the floor this afternoon is a result of this hard work.

I would like to thank my committee, particularly its leaders, including Chairmen Robert Aderholt from Alabama, John Culberson from Texas, Kay Granger from Texas, Mike Simpson from Idaho, and Tom Graves from Georgia who has done a masterful job this afternoon, Judge Carter from Texas, Ken Calvert from California, Tom Cole from Oklahoma, Kevin Yoder from Kansas, Charlie Dent from Pennsylvania, Hal Rogers from Kentucky, and Mario Diaz-Balart from Florida.

On the Democratic side, I want to thank Ranking Members Sanford Bishop from Georgia, Jose Serrano from New York, Pete Visclosky from Indiana, Marcy Kaptur from Ohio, Mike Quigley from Illinois, Lucille Roybal-Allard from California, Betty McCollum from Minnesota, Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut, Tim Ryan from Ohio, Debbie Wasserman Schultz from Florida, and David Price from North Carolina, and their surrogates.

Of course, I particularly want to thank the ranking member of the full committee, Mrs. Nita Lowey from New York for her dedication and friendship to getting our work done on time.

I must also thank our incredibly hard-working staff, Mr. Chairman, led by Nancy Fox, our staff director; and Maureen Holohan, our new deputy staff director on the Republican side; and by Shalanda Young and Chris Bigelow on the Democratic side. I thank them all. To all the staffs, those assembled here in this room and those who have been here for many hours over the last couple of days, I thank them all for all the work they have done to get these bills to the floor and the tremendous amount of time and dedication to them.

Mr. Chairman, this bill makes sure the United States has a strong national defense and that our citizens here at home are protected. This package sets us on the right path to fully fund the entire Federal Government on time and on budget.

Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Announcement by the Acting Chair

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 509, I call up the bill (H.R. 601) to enhance the transparency and accelerate the impact of assistance provided under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to promote quality basic education in developing countries, to better enable such countries to achieve universal access to quality basic education and improved learning outcomes, to eliminate duplication and waste, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material during consideration of H.R. 601, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a Senate amendment to H.R. 601. As Texas and Louisiana begin the first steps of recovery from Hurricane Harvey, Congress must ensure that the funding is available to meet the short- and long-term needs of the hundreds of thousands of victims of that terrible storm. As we are all seeing unfold before our eyes, the next hurricanes could cause even more terrible devastation. This legislation is the first step in what will be long and difficult recoveries.

As our fellow Americans recover and rebuild their lives, we must come together to support the victims, the volunteers, the first responders on the ground from around the Nation, and Congress must ensure that the Federal Government provides the help they need.

With FEMA resources running low and Hurricane Irma on Florida's and the South's door, providing this additional funding is even more critical. As I said before, our committee is ready and willing to address any additional funding needs that may arise as a result of Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and other major disasters.

In addition to providing this desperately needed emergency aid, this bill also extends funding for the entire Federal Government operations until December 8 of this year. This continuing resolution will ensure that the Federal Government remains open for business and that important programs and services are maintained beyond the end of the fiscal year on the 30th of this month.

While I don't believe that a continuing resolution is the best way to fund our government, it is imperative to give us time to go to conference and complete our 12 full-year appropriations bills with the Senate. It is essential that all of these bills be signed into law and that our Nation avoids the uncertainty caused by a threat of a shutdown.

In addition, the bill also contains a short-term increase in the Federal debt limit and a reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program.

All of these actions will allow for more certainty and stability for the Nation and for the communities and families suffering from these disasters.

I urge my colleagues--and may I say I do that knowing that I have the full support of my ranking member, Mrs. Lowey, who I have had the pleasure of working with.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter) who is the chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask for adoption of H.R. 601 to move funds quickly to those in need, 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 agree to the resolution (H. Res. 502) providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendments to H.R. 601, with an amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 502.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present H. Res. 502, a resolution making emergency appropriations to allow the Federal Government to continue the vital response and recovery efforts that are helping the hundreds of thousands of victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Our thoughts go out to all the people of Texas and Louisiana who are coping with the aftermath of this storm and its catastrophic flooding.

As one of the Nation's greatest national disasters continues to unfold before our eyes, this Congress must ensure that our Federal Government is able to meet the short and long-term needs of disaster victims.

I believe that every type of resource ought to be utilized to support rescue, relief, and recovery efforts. I want to reassure the people of Texas and Louisiana that we are there for them in their time of greatest need.

The House Appropriations Committee has already approved a $1 billion reprogramming request for FEMA last week, which has allowed the agency to continue to meet the most immediate needs in the region.

It has become clear that, in the face of a disaster of such magnitude, much more is needed to assist these states and local communities as they recover and rebuild.

Last Friday, we received the administration's initial request for supplemental funding for Hurricane Harvey. We are grateful for the speed of this request, and, recognizing the urgency of the situation, we brought this resolution to the floor today.

H. Res. 502 contains $7.4 billion for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, which will allow FEMA to continue its efforts related to Harvey as well as any additional disasters that may strike. H. Res. 502 also includes $450 million to support the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program that will help small businesses and homeowners come back from the disasters.

Working closely with the Texas and Louisiana members, the Appropriations Committee has done its due diligence to guarantee that this funding will make best use of taxpayers' dollars.

I want to thank all of our Federal agencies, first responders from around the Nation, the thousands of volunteers who immediately responded, and all those who have been working tirelessly to make sure that we meet the needs of the people of Texas and Louisiana.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter), the chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Arrington).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson), from the Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Farenthold).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Lance), my colleague, and I thank him for his assistance many years ago addressing the needs of the residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut during Superstorm Sandy.

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

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

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

First of all, this morning we salute the courage of all Texans and people from Louisiana. We salute their courage and their resilience.

Once again, I want to thank all of our Federal agencies and, obviously, the Governor of Texas, the Governor of Louisiana, and all those agencies that have been meeting the needs of the people; and, again, the thousands of volunteers who immediately responded and who have been working tirelessly day in and day out to help hundreds of thousands of people affected by this storm and saved, I may say, countless lives.

They have fed and housed the displaced, met critical medical needs, provided transportation, and, most importantly, gave faith to those who have lost literally everything. These are American heroes who are showing the best side of our Nation, and we are grateful for their service.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Let's get the money out the door and help the people of Texas and Louisiana.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the consideration of H.R. 3354, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

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

Mr. Chair, I rise today to present H.R. 3354, the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act. This legislation moves Congress one step closer to completing its critical work on our fiscal year 2018 appropriations bills ahead of the end of the fiscal year on September 30.

Our bill respects the American people, their priorities for our Nation, and their hard-earned tax dollars, and it will help move our great country forward to a more stable and prosperous future.

This funding, totaling $1.2 trillion, supports important domestic and international programs that keep our people safe and help our economy grow and thrive, protects us from terrorists and those who want to do us harm, and assures that America has a critical role across the globe both militarily and diplomatically.

Most importantly, this bill continues the work started with the national security funding package that passed the House in July, the Make America Secure Appropriations Act, and it prioritizes the safety of the American people, targeting funding towards critical law enforcement programs, securing our borders and our cyber networks, fighting terrorism, combating opioid abuse, and stemming the flow of illegal drugs and goods.

Other funds are directed to programs that provide the greatest national benefit, including those that keep our food and drug supplies safe, that support public health preparedness, fight devastating wildfires, invest in critical infrastructure, and otherwise protect and support our economy and economic freedom.

All of these investments are made responsibly. In each of our bills within this package, we have found savings, gotten rid of waste, fraud, and duplication, and increased oversight to ensure that no taxpayer dollar is misspent, but we still have more work to do. This is the next step in the process, but it is not the end.

We must also address new needs arising from terrible flooding and damage

inflicted by Hurricane Harvey, which is affecting hundreds of thousands of people across Texas and Louisiana, as well as continue all government operations until the final appropriations package can be conferenced with the Senate and signed into law.

This legislation today represents the House priorities and shows the American people that this Chamber is moving forward, governing effectively, and getting things done here in Washington.

Before I close, I would like to thank the members of the Appropriations Committee for their hard work over the past few months, and the staff that allows us to consider this bill today, especially the 12 chairs of the subcommittees. The committee drafted, considered, and marked up all 12 appropriations bills in under 2 months, a record- breaking pace, and as a result, we have a fine package of solid bills on the floor this afternoon.

I particularly would like to thank the chairs and ranking members of the committee of the bills we are considering today, as well as the ranking member of the full committee, Mrs. Lowey, for her partnership and friendship throughout this process. I would also like to extend my personal thanks to our staff on both sides of the aisle for their efforts on these bills.

This package is a product not only of the committee's work, but also of the contribution of all Members of this body. While drafting these bills that compose this package, we took Members' submissions very seriously, creating a more representative bill that reflects the will of the American people.

In July, the House took the first responsible step of providing funding for critical national security priorities. With this bill, we complete our work on all 12 of our appropriations bills for the fiscal year.

This morning, the House came together on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis to pass desperately needed emergency funding for the victims in Texas and Louisiana whose lives were destroyed by Hurricane Harvey. Funding these important responsibilities of the Federal Government is our constitutional duty to the people we serve.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), the chairman of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, my predecessor as full chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt), chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Appropriations.

Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentleman to thank the staff.

Mr. Chairman, let me associate myself with the remarks of Ms. Kaptur.

Taunja, thank you for your service to our Nation, your help to both Republicans and Democrats, and to the Nation. We are indebted to you. Good luck to you.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson), the chairman of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, who spoke so eloquently this morning.

Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter), the chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations. As I learned this morning, he is a true son of Houston, whose eloquence and compassion we heard this morning.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), who is the chairman of the Appropriations Committee's Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole), chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart), chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee on Appropriations.

Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Graves), the chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee on Appropriations.

Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) for the purpose of three colloquies.

Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho).

Mr. Chairman, how much time is remaining on each side? I am prepared to yield back, if the gentlewoman is prepared.

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

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, as we begin to conclude debate on H.R. 3219, the Make America Secure Appropriations Act, I am sure I join with Ranking Member Nita Lowey in thanking all the Members of the House for the manner in which this debate has been conducted over the last couple of days.

I thank the subcommittee chairs, the ranking members, and the Members who presented well over 120 amendments that were made in order.

Let me reiterate why this package of appropriations bills is so important. From 2010 to 2014, defense spending was cut 21 percent in real terms. We heard that from Chairman Thornberry of the Armed Services Committee. Yet, as we know, the world did not get 21 percent safer.

In fact, we ask more of our military than ever before, and we need to support them here at home and abroad.

Today--and I said this earlier in the debate--we have the oldest Air Force in history, the Navy's fleet is smaller than it has been in decades, and the Army has just three combat brigade teams fully prepared to fight.

Moreover, we have too many aircraft that can't fly, too many ships that cannot sail, too many troops who cannot deploy. We need better equipment and training for our warfighters, and we need more of the warfighters. We need a cyber component that is really effective.

In April--it seems like years ago--we began to rebuild our Armed Forces with the fiscal year 2017 consolidated appropriations bill. Today, this legislation we are considering continues that critical work.

Mr. Chairman, this four-bill package is carefully crafted to fund our critical military priorities, reinforce our nuclear deterrent, support veterans, make our borders more secure, and strengthen protection for our constituents and for Members.

Once again, I thank Chairwoman Kay Granger; Chairmen Mike Simpson, Charlie Dent, Kevin Yoder; all chairmen and their ranking counterparts; and our remarkable staff for bringing us to the finish line this afternoon, earlier than we thought.

I also thank the rest of the Members and the staff of the Appropriations Committee for their extraordinary efforts over the past several months. It was full speed ahead, and they performed in a remarkable way.

I would like to note the work of our clerk Nancy Fox and her team, Jim Kulikowski, Carol Murphy, Shannon O'Keefe, Stephen Sepp, Maureen Holohan, Jennifer Hing, Marta Dehmlow Hernandez, Tammy Hughes, Rachel Kahler, David Roth.

And in my personal office: Katie Hazlett.

And those who work with Mrs. Lowey--and this may be the short list-- Shalanda Young, Chris Bigelow, Adam Berg, and Becky Leggieri.

May I say that I didn't mean to leave out Chairman Carter of the Homeland Security Committee for the work that he has done.

My colleagues, each and every one of these bills deserves to be sent to the President's desk. I look forward to completing our work on all 12 appropriations bills when we return from the recess, or perhaps even before then.

Mr. Chairman, I urge support of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I claim time in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, as we gather here, nearly 250,000 men and women in uniform are deployed in nearly 177 countries in all corners of the globe. Another 2 million Active Guard and Reserve are standing watch back here at home in the United States.

They are doing their jobs. We should do our jobs by providing them with everything they need to complete their mission. They are trusting us to do our jobs.

Defeat the motion to recommit, support national security, and vote ``yes'' on final passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the consideration of H.R. 3219, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 6 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to present an amendment to H.R. 3219, the Make America Secure Appropriations Act. This legislative package provides critical appropriations for national security, including for the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Energy's nuclear programs, and the Legislative Branch bill.

My colleagues, this is the primary constitutional duty of the Congress: to ensure the safety of the homeland and the American people.

This legislation is carefully crafted to meet that responsibility: funding our critical military priorities, supporting veterans, and making our borders more secure.

The core of this package is full-year funding for the Department of Defense and the intelligence community. I thank Chairwoman Granger for her leadership.

In total, the Defense portion of the bill provides $658.1 billion for these functions, an increase of $68.1 billion in base discretionary funding above the fiscal year 2017 enacted levels.

There is no doubt that this is a significant increase from the current spending levels, and certainly from the last 8 years. But this increase is vitally important to continue the process we started this spring: to rebuild, repair, and re-equip our Armed Forces that we started in the 2017 appropriations package.

Mr. Chairman, Secretary of Defense Mattis has quite correctly made readiness and modernization of our forces his top priorities.

It is a fact today that we have too many aircraft that cannot fly, too many ships that cannot sail, and too many troops who cannot deploy either because they are not properly trained or there are not enough of them.

So how did we get there? Because in recent years, we have been just getting by--reducing investments in our military as the world becomes more dangerous, and avoiding tough choices.

The package before us today will sustain a much-needed rebuilding of our military after a half decade of cuts, while our troops remained in constant combat, as they do today.

We provided prioritized funding to necessary but unfunded equipment and weapons platforms. We have boosted missile defense, a program that has taken on critical importance as North Korea, unabatedly, tries to marry its nuclear warheads with new ballistic missiles.

We increased funding for the vital training that prepares our warfighter for any contingency. This legislation also supports our military families. After all, they serve, too. We included a 2.4 percent pay increase for our servicemen and -women, the largest such raise in 8 years, and they deserve it.

Within the Military Construction and Veterans portion of this bill-- and I thank Chairman Dent for his leadership--military infrastructure funding has increased by 25 percent above current levels. We continue our efforts to rebuild our Armed Forces by ensuring that our warfighters have the support they need.

We cannot forget those who have served. This measure increases funding to the Department of Veterans Affairs to 5 percent over current levels to provide veterans and their families with access to medical care and other benefits they have earned and deserve.

Within the Energy and Water section of this legislation--I thank Chairman Simpson for his leadership--funding is prioritized for critical nuclear programs that will help strengthen our security and deter threats around the globe.

We also support the maintenance of our Nation's waterways and support the work of the Army Corps to also ensure the resilience and security of our electricity infrastructure.

We recommit to opening Yucca Mountain as a safe and secure location to permanently store the Nation's nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive wastes, and we promote basic science programs, which lay the foundation for new energy technologies.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, this package also includes funding for important legislative branch functions--and I thank Chairman Yoder for his leadership--improving security to ensure

that our Members, our staffs, and visitors to this wonderful Capitol complex are always well protected.

Mr. Chairman, before I close, I offer thanks to members of the Appropriations Committee for their hard work and tough decisions over the past few months producing two appropriations bills, fiscal year 2017 and 2018, in less than 3 months.

As you know, we received the President's budget on May 23, just over 2 months ago, and since then, we have worked nonstop to put all 12 bills through the committee in record time. Each and every one of these bills deserves to be sent to the President's desk. I look forward to completing our work on all of our bills.

I also would like to extend my personal thanks to the entire committee and to our remarkable staff for their hard work on these bills and the eight yet to come.

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

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Mr. Chair, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), the former chairman of the full committee and now the chairman of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger) who is the chair of the Defense Subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) who is the chair of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee on Appropriations.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent), chairman of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee on Appropriations.

Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Yoder), the chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee on Appropriations.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), the chairman of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee on Appropriations.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Palazzo), a valuable member of the committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Lance), a strong supporter of national defense.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) for the purpose of a colloquy.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith), the distinguished chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber).

Mr. Chairman, before I close, I just want to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Lowey for her work, and all of the staff here for the remarkable things they have been doing over the last 3 or 4 weeks. While we may disagree strongly on some issues, our committee, as Mr. Cuellar said a few minutes ago, works in a bipartisan way to get our bills across the finish line.

To all the members of the committee and our staff and to the ranking member, I thank them for the amicable way that all of us conduct business. It is part of the history and tradition of our committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for her comments.

Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, in closing, I would remind the House that just yesterday we voted overwhelmingly in a bipartisan way to impose tough new sanctions on three aggressor nations: Russia, Iran and North Korea. Each pose their unique threats to our vital interests, their neighbors, and to global stability.

But little in history would predict that sanction alone will change the maligned behavior of these three regimes.

That is why we need to get this bill across the finish line, to guarantee that our military is always prepared to meet any threat from anyone anywhere, whether it be China in the Pacific; international terrorist groups like ISIS, al-Qaida, Al-Nusra, al Shabaab, Hezbollah, Hamas; and transnational drug smugglers and criminal gangs.

Mr. Chairman, I repeat: Congress' most important constitutional duty is to provide for the common defense. This appropriations package before us allows us to meet that solid responsibility.

I urge support of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Morristown Medical Center, located in Morris County, New Jersey, on the occasion of its 125th Anniversary. From humble beginnings, the medical center has grown from a household hospital to a nationally renowned medical center with 6,565 employees, 1,704 physicians, and 526,946 outpatient visits in 2016.

Morristown Medical Center's history began in the late 1800s, when Myra M. B. Brookfield bequeathed her home property for the purpose of establishing a hospital, located on Morris Street in Morristown, New Jersey. Augusta Stone, a fellow colleague, joined her efforts and raised $15,000 from the community, to equip and furnish the new hospital. The medical center was operated by professionals along with local volunteers, and no role was too small for townspeople. They sewed linens for the hospital bedding and picked vegetables to feed hungry patients. When hospital employees were sent overseas to serve in World War II, volunteers cooked and served meals, answered telephones, and drove the ambulances.

In 1952, the hospital was relocated to Madison Avenue in Morristown, which marked its turning point from a community hospital to a regional medical center. The medical center expanded throughout the next several decades with volunteers finding new methods of raising money. By 1991, the milestone was reached with more than 1,000 volunteers giving 100,000 hours annually.

Today, Morristown Medical Center is a leader in providing medical care and promoting innovation. Their Goryeb Children's Hospital, Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, and Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute, which has performed more heart surgeries than any other hospital in New Jersey, are all nationally recognized institutions.

Further, the Morristown Medical Center has built a strong relationship with its community. Along with aiding patients' medical needs, they also have forged partnerships with local schools and many local organizations to educate the residents of all ages about healthy eating and exercise. The Morristown Medical Center truly dedicates itself to serving the various needs of a diverse community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in congratulating the Trustees, administrators and staff, and Women's Auxiliary of Morristown Medical Center on the occasion of its 125th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Hildale Park Presbyterian Church, located in the Township of Hanover, New Jersey, on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary. From humble beginnings, this church's birth from a hillside bungalow has grown to be a thriving religious center and school for the greater Morris County community, a bible-centered congregation.

Hildale Park Presbyterian Church's history began in 1916 when Cedar Knolls transitioned from a summer destination to a town of permanent residency. At that time, residents needed to travel long distances for their religious services. This was an impetus for Mr. and Mrs. Horace Greenway and Mrs. Mathilda Pfeiffer to establish a Sunday school within the community. As a result, on April 17, 1917, the very first service was held in the Greenway bungalow. Soon after, on July 19, 1917, a meeting was held to elect the first Board of Trustees who renamed the chapel the Hildale Park Union Chapel.

On August 11, 1918, Reverend Greenway officiated the first session and dedication was held in the newly erected chapel. As time passed, there was an apparent need for a sturdier structure that could withstand the frequent storms. With the advent of the 1955 Christmas Eve service, the dedication of a new sanctuary was held. The Church's aspiration to select a full-time minister was also met on July 13, 1959, as Reverend Alan Loy McGinnis was moved into the newly built manse. With Reverend McGinnis at the helm, the church not only delivered religious services, but also held a Sunday school constituting 200 students. In fact, the church's altruism was demonstrated by its postponement of additions to the school building to instead pledge $10,000 to add a wing on to a hospital in Brazil.

The Church continued to expand, as newly selected Reverend MacNaughton made it his ambition to build a Christian Education Building, and for the church to become more active in the local community. Reverend MacNaughton secured a Cable TV spot, in order to broadcast each Sunday service. This still continues to service the community profoundly. Reverend MacNaughton retired in 2012 after serving forty-one years, and was succeeded by Reverend Ross H. Lang, who is dedicated to continuing the traditions and promises of Hildale Park Presbyterian Church. To remain a thriving faith based organization, 100 years later, is a testament to the extraordinary efforts of Hildale Park Presbyterian Church, its members and Trustees.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in congratulating Hildale Park Presbyterian Church on the occasion of its Centennial Anniversary.