Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Dockum Drugstore sit-in.

In 1958, 20-year-old Ron Walters and his cousin, Carol Parks-Hahn, were inspired by a California campus restaurant sit-in, the Little Rock Nine, and the Montgomery bus boycott. Bravely seeking to challenge the status quo of segregation in Wichita, they planned a sit-in at a downtown drugstore with a lunch counter for White customers only.

On July 19, 10 students walked into the Dockum Drugstore and sat down. They were described as well dressed and polite, and sought only to be served a soft drink at the counter.

For 3 weeks, the students entered the drugstore every day, boldly sitting through cursing, questioning, and even threats. Finally, on August 11, the store manager declared: ``Serve them. I'm losing too much money.''

Following their success, similar efforts became a hallmark of the civil rights movement. And today, on this 60th anniversary, their actions continue to inspire.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful these young men and women took action to end segregation in their community.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support amendment No. 62 to H.R. 6147. This amendment modernizes the Endangered Species Act and recognizes voluntary conservation efforts to protect the lesser prairie chicken.

In 2015, the species native to western Kansas was inaccurately listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act due to a multiyear drought. Since then, Kansas farmers and ranchers have devoted millions of dollars toward successful conservation through a range-wide plan. This along with increased rainfall has led to an increase in the lesser prairie chicken population.

However, recently, the push to list the species as endangered was restarted, disregarding these voluntary efforts. I am glad this amendment recognizes the private conservation efforts toward the lesser prairie chicken. I cosponsored a similar measure in the farm bill, and I appreciate Representatives Pearce and Marshall for offering this amendment. I ask my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I have the great privilege to introduce the House to our guest chaplain, Father Dan Spexarth of Wichita, Kansas. As an ordained minister for more than 30 years, Father Spexarth has served six parishes in our community, including St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Wichita since 2008.

Father Spexarth was born and raised on a wheat farm near Colwich, Kansas. And after graduating from the seminary, we are fortunate Father Spexarth returned to our community.

Father Spexarth has been a tireless servant of God, leading an active parish committed to serving those in need in our community and throughout the world. As Congress addresses many complex issues facing our Nation, I am humbled by the opportunity to host Father Spexarth and thankful that we can join together in prayer for our country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming Father Dan Spexarth, and thank him for offering today's opening prayer in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer thoughts and prayers to the families of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Andale, Kansas. For nearly 125 years, the parish of St. Joseph has been a pillar of west Sedgwick County and our entire community.

On Sunday morning, several hours before parishioners were to arrive for 8 a.m. Mass, it is believed a lightning strike caused a fire which soon engulfed the entire attic and roof. Two firefighters were injured responding to the fire which was contained after several hours. Thankfully, the firefighters treated for smoke inhalation and burns were released from the hospital.

In a demonstration of the spirit in our community, nearby Andale High School was quick to open its doors and the church was able to celebrate 10 a.m. Mass. I am confident that this resilient community will continue to join together to help Father Daryl Befort and all the parishioners in St. Joseph as they begin the long and difficult task of rebuilding their church.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in keeping St. Joseph and our first responders in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4760, Securing America's Future Act.

Mr. Speaker, our immigration system is broken. For decades, administrations have offered temporary fixes or chosen to not enforce certain provisions of the law. However, the election of President Trump shows a clear desire by the American people to fix our broken immigration system and secure our border.

The Securing America's Future Act addresses these issues and provides needed solutions. The bill secures our border by authorizing a wall, providing new border technology, and putting more boots on the ground.

The bill refocuses legal immigration on skills that are needed by ending the visa lottery program and chain migration. It also prevents future illegal immigration by mandating E-Verify for employers and cracking down on sanctuary cities.

Important for my State of Kansas, this bill includes H-2C agricultural visas which allows people to come work and provide the skills our farmers need.

Finally, this bill gives stability to children brought here illegally by providing a renewable legal status as long as recipients pay taxes and obey the law, without providing a special path to citizenship because no one should get to jump the line.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for Roll Call vote No. 267 on Agreeing to the Amendment, the Thornberry of Texas Part A Amendment No. 4. Had I been present, I would have voted yea.

I was not present for Roll Call vote No. 268 on Passage of H.R. 2851. Had I been present, I would have voted yea.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the grand opening of the Wichita Advanced Learning Library on June 16, 2018.

The Wichita Advanced Learning Library has been a central project for Kansas' largest city since 2006.

After breaking ground on the project 2 years ago, it will be an honor to attend the grand opening of the library this Saturday.

The old library was built more than 50 years ago. At that time, there was no such thing as a personal computer, phones were simply used for making phone calls, and Wichita had a population of less than 250,000.

With the opening of the new library, Wichita and the surrounding region will now have a state-of-the-art facility ready to handle our growing population and advances in digital technology.

These advances will provide students with enrichment opportunities in all areas, including STEM, which is increasingly important for the workforce of the future.

As a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, I understand the importance of education, and I am proud of the city of Wichita for moving forward with the Advanced Learning Library, allowing our students and community members of all ages to continue the pathway to a lifetime of learning.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for Roll Call vote No. 258 on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 5237. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea.

I was not present for Roll Call vote No. 259 on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 5041. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea.

I was not present for Roll Call vote No. 260 on Approval of the Journal. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3331, encouraging the adoption of electronic health record technology by behavioral health providers. The Meaningful Use Program has been instrumental in providing incentives to eligible clinicians to use electronic health record technology. Unfortunately, behavioral health providers have been left out of this program. H.R. 3331, sponsored by Rep. Lynn Jenkins, would incentivize psychiatric hospitals, community health centers and substance use treatment facilities to use the electronic health record technology.

Mental health includes emotional, psychological and social well-being and affects how individuals think, feel and act. This bill is an important step in ensuring medical providers have access to records for both mental and physical health, so that we can improve care coordination and meet the needs of patients. Rep. Jenkins has been a champion for mental health reform and I look forward to continuing our work on this important issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3, the Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act.

These spending cuts, or rescissions, address the desire by President Trump and many in Congress to begin the long overdue process of reigning in government spending. This package is important because, as an engineer, businessman, and former State treasurer, I know you can't build a strong economy on debt and borrowed money.

Spending money we don't have on things we don't need increases our unsustainable $21 trillion national debt and mortgages the future for our kids and grandkids. But reducing the size and scope of government isn't about budget number, it is about returning freedom and liberty to the American people. It is also common sense.

Kansas families have to live within their means. Our Federal Government should be no different. H.R. 3 is a great first step.

Today's spending cuts will save the taxpayers $15 billion, the largest rescission package since the tool was adopted in 1974, which comes from programs that have expired or can no longer be used.

If we don't pass this rescission bill, it is like leaving cash lying around the kitchen table, the silverware drawer, or in the corner. It may leave the money available for use, but it is a poor way to manage the taxpayers' dollars. Returning the money to our treasury allows us to make investments in other needed areas without raising taxes or spending money we don't have.

Over the past 2 years, Republicans in Congress have jump-started our economy through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and slashing government red tape and regulation. This has helped our economy reach the lowest unemployment rate in nearly 20 years. However, now is the time we need to get serious about cutting spending, and today's vote is a great first step.

I look forward to passage of H.R. 3 and to identifying even more ways to cut spending, as well as reforming entitlements and quasi- entitlements and growing our economy in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, my friend from Louisiana, for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is helping families and businesses in my home State of Kansas and throughout our country.

Since Republicans in Congress and the President enacted tax reform, 400 companies have announced $4 billion in bonuses and investments, impacting 4 million workers.

In my community, Spirit AeroSystems announced new investments in training and technology. Fidelity Bank announced $1,500 bonuses for its 400 Wichita area employees. Cox Communications announced up to $2,000 bonuses for its 900 area employees.

Recently, small businessowner Bob Aldrich of railroad car parts supplier, Wichita Railway Services, gave his employees $3,000 to $6,000 bonuses, the largest in the country, thanks to the new law.

In addition to the bonuses and the new jobs being created, 90 percent of Americans began seeing more monthly take-home pay in February.

For Kansans, that meant a middle class family of four will see a tax cut of nearly $2,300.

These numbers are not crumbs. No, they are not crumbs at all for millions of families across the country. And despite those doomsday predictions, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is already boosting our economy.

Just last week, the unemployment rate fell again to 3.8 percent, the lowest in 18 years. And when families and businesses file next year under the new Tax Code, hardworking Americans will keep even more of their money.

In fact, Wichita tax accountant Archie Macias analyzed his clients' 2017 tax returns and found that approximately 95 percent of his clients will pay less in taxes next year due to the new law.

These numbers are staggering. But behind all of these statistics are people. Whether it is a small general aviation parts manufacturer in Newton or a wheat farmer in Pratt, Kansans from all backgrounds and in all sectors are seeing growth in our economy once again.

Republicans are delivering on our promise to cut taxes and cut regulations, and I look forward to continuing our pro-growth agenda to help American workers and their families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the new title X regulations announced by the Trump administration's Department of Health and Human Services.

Title X is a family planning program authorized in 1970 to provide family planning services to low-income women. Currently, Congress approves $286 million a year to provide these family planning services like: education, counseling, health screenings, and healthcare. For years, pro-life protections like the Hyde amendment sought to ensure tax dollars, including title X funds, would not go to abortion providers.

However, the Clinton-era title X regulations have sadly mandated that all grantees refer abortions as part of their family planning services and created loopholes allowing title X funding to flow to organizations which provide abortions, such as Planned Parenthood.

Under these Clinton-era regulations, Planned Parenthood has been able to receive an average of $56 million in taxes each year from title X. Clearly, that is not in line with the intent of the title X family planning program and it is past time to change.

I was proud to help lead the effort in Congress to urge the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to update title X guidelines with those similar to regulations in place during the Reagan era. These Reagan regulations--which were upheld by the Supreme Court in 1991--were rolled back by the Clinton administration and have remained in place since then.

However, today, thanks to President Trump and his administration, we turn this page and mark a historic victory for life. This week the Trump administration will unveil new regulations called the Protect Life Rule which will prohibit any organization that performs or refers abortions from receiving title X family planning funds.

The Protect Life Rule will mandate that title X grant recipients be physically and financially separate from facilities that provide abortions, closing for good that loophole that has allowed organizations like Planned Parenthood to receive title X funding.

Currently, Planned Parenthood conducts 320,000 abortions every year and receives nearly $60 million in tax dollars annually. Implementing the Protect Life Rule will save thousands of innocent lives and ensure that title X funding supports actual family planning, not abortions.

The Protect Life Rule will also increase safeguards for victims of sexual assault, these victims who have already been abused. Implementing the Protect Life Rule will not cut any funds that go toward family planning to support mothers and families every day. In fact, it will provide more money net for legitimate family planning activities. To suggest otherwise, would be a politically motivated lie to the American people.

Contrary to the doomsday rhetoric used by pro-abortion advocates, this is a great day for life and families across America. I want to thank dozens of pro-life grassroots organizations and more than 150 of my colleagues from the House and Senate who joined this effort to push back for the new title X regulations--especially Representatives Black, Hartzler, and Smith.

I also want to thank President Trump and his administration for issuing the Protect Life Rule, heeding our calls and the calls of millions of Americans who have long demanded that tax dollars not go to abortion providers, just as the law was intended.

President Trump ran as a pro-life candidate, and the Protect Life Rule is just the latest example of how the President and Republicans in Congress believe in keeping our promises to the American people.

The Protect Life Rule is a win for millions of Americans who have marched for life in our Nation's Capital and the millions more who have marched throughout our country, including in my home State of Kansas.

I look forward to the implementation of the Protect Life Rule.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address one of the important drivers of our economy: The way we develop the workforce of tomorrow.

Since the founding of our country, American workers have led the way in being the most productive and innovative in the world. However, technology and changing demands require that we identify new ways to maintain our competitive edge.

After nearly 10 years of stagnant growth, our economy is, once again, booming, thanks to cutting taxes and cutting regulations. Yet today, our economy faces a new challenge. At this moment, there are a record 6.6 million job openings in our country.

While we currently have the lowest unemployment rate in 18 years, there are still millions of Americans looking for a job. However, every day, I hear from employers throughout Kansas, and our country, about their difficulty filling open jobs because our workforce does not have all the skills it needs.

I believe this is because, for decades, politicians, educators, and even parents, have told students that the only way to succeed is to get a 4-year college degree. While a college degree is extremely important, some jobs are critical in requiring that. Today, we are seeing that many college students are graduating with crippling student loan debt and have trouble finding a job, while we have a shortage of skilled labor positions, such as welders, machinists, truck drivers, and people with other needed skills.

Because of this, I believe we have no choice but to change the way we are developing our workforce. We need to empower students to have more opportunities to prepare for the careers they want, whether through technical schools, community colleges, or universities.

Kansans have led the way with this by passing Kansas Senate bill S. 155, which allows high school students to graduate with either, or both, a technical or college-ready certificate. Through this effort, I believe Kansans can serve as a model for this country on how we train our workforce.

As a Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, I have been proud to work on several ways to do this, including amending the Prosper Act, which will reform higher education and student aid, to allow students to complete work studies as apprentices in the fields that they are studying.

That amendment will help students to be more marketable once they finish their degrees, and builds on our need to support apprenticeship programs throughout the country. This also helps minimize outlandish student loan debt too many students and families are racking up.

In addition to working on the Prosper Act, I have also proposed the HOPE Act, which will allow TANF assistance dollars to go toward a successful workforce development program, one which is called Jobs for America's Graduates, or JAG.

Earlier this month, I met with some JAG students at Newton High School in Newton, Kansas, and heard about how the program has prepared them for their careers after high school. Allowing more TANF dollars to go toward this program can help many at-risk students and get more people off of assistance and on to successful lives.

These are part of our overall goal of making sure every American can get the skills they need to fulfill their potential.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Foxx and the Education and the Workforce Committee for their work towards this goal. Together, we can advance legislation which will maintain and grow America's leadership in our global economy.

Mr. Speaker, that is right. We have an innovative aerostructure environment in Wichita. In fact, Wichita is known as the air capital of the world. We are always looking for skilled employees to fill those jobs, to help keep planes running, keep parts being produced through the process.

Our businesses have worked with community colleges and partnered with Wichita State University and are partnering with high schools to help make sure that the skills are available so those employers can have the employees that they need to help keep their operations running.

It has been a great transition we have made as we have gone through the baby boomers, who are now starting to retire and starting to leave the workforce. We need to make sure that we have enough skilled employees to replace them as they are retiring and make sure that we keep America's economy growing strong.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to propose an amendment to section 232 of H.R. 4, the FAA Reauthorization Act.

As a Representative of the Fourth District of Kansas, which includes Wichita, also known as the Air Capital of the World, I have a deep appreciation for the importance of the aviation industry in our region and country.

For more than 100 years, our community has pioneered aviation and manufacturing. Today, the greater Wichita area is home to many of the world's largest aviation manufacturers and produces nearly 50 percent of all general aviation planes built.

Without question, aviation is a great source of pride for all Kansans, and I want to thank Chairman Shuster and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their efforts to support the industry and modernize the FAA.

As part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Congress has tasked the FAA administrator to establish a task force on flight standards reform. I believe creating this task force to improve aviation safety standards is a needed and overdue initiative.

H.R. 4 mandates the task force be comprised of representatives from air carriers, general and business aviation, repair stations, unmanned aviation systems, flight schools, and aviation safety inspectors.

Today, I am offering an amendment to the task force to also include representatives of aircraft manufacturers. I believe those responsible for producing our Nation's aircraft can play a valuable role in updating aviation standards and should have a voice.

I want to thank our colleagues for their attention to the industry and consideration of this amendment, and ask that they support the FAA Reauthorization Act.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 154.