Floor Statements

Mr. Chair, I join the gentleman in expressing my opposition to this amendment. The NNSA's mission is, arguably, one of the most critical national security roles across the U.S. Government.

As my colleague from Alabama pointed out, after years of insufficient funding, our Nuclear Security Enterprise is now facing a myriad of infrastructure problems and potential failures. To quote Los Alamos lab director Dr. Charlie McMillan: ``One of the things that keeps me up at night is the realization that essential capabilities are held at risk by the possibility of such failures.''

The amendment offered by the gentleman from Colorado would only exacerbate these problems. Most of the cuts made by this amendment would come from high-priority deferred maintenance and infrastructure repairs. With a $3.7 billion infrastructure and maintenance backlog, these cuts are unacceptable and pose a serious threat not only to the NNSA mission, but to the occupational well-being of its employees as well.

Under the leadership of Chairman Thornberry and Chairman Rogers, the committee has worked hard over the past 2 years to mitigate these infrastructure issues and prevent the occurrence of a single-point failure within the Nuclear Security Enterprise. It is critical that we continue to push forward with these efforts and resolve these outstanding issues. As such, I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, due to a family emergency, I was unable to be present for votes on May 21, 2018. Had I been present, I would have voted yes on H.R. 4830 (Roll no. 207); H.R. 4451 (Roll no. 208) and H.R. 3832 (Roll no. 209).

Due to a family emergency, I was unable to be present for votes on roll No. 210, roll No. 211 and roll No. 212 on May 22, 2018. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on all three.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the amendment of Mr. Hollingsworth of Indiana on this issue.

In short, the amendment would allow the Secretary of the Interior to issue depredation permits to livestock farmers authorizing the taking of black vultures. This is an issue that has been brought to my attention by farmers across the entire Southeast, as well, who have all witnessed black vultures prey on and kill their livestock. Unfortunately, because black vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, farmers are left with little or no recourse of action.

After years of frustration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began issuing depredation permits as part of a pilot program to try to address this shortage. While this has worked well in my State, it is clear that our farmers and ranchers need a more permanent fix to this ongoing problem.

Black vulture attacks on various livestock have already led to significant economic losses for many, and I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this commonsense amendment.

Mr. Speaker, in honor of National Police Week, I rise today to recognize the Dunlap, Tennessee, Police Department on its selection as a finalist for the 2018 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

This award, given each year by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard, recognizes employers who go above and beyond to support their employees serving in the National Guard and military reserves. Out of 2,300 nominations nationwide, the Dunlap Police Department was chosen as one of just 30 finalists for the award, whose recipients will be announced next month.

Under the leadership of Police Chief Clint Huth, who is himself a Navy Reserve Master Chief, the Dunlap Police Department has been active in their support for their guard and their reserve employees.

Like many employers across the country, Chief Huth and the Dunlap PD play an important role in our Nation's military readiness through their unwavering support of our reserve components.

On behalf of Tennessee's Fourth District, I would like to congratulate them on their recognition and offer my sincere gratitude for the commitment they have made to our citizen soldiers.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H. Res. 774.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements and hard work of the Middle Tennessee State University debate team.

The team has achieved great success, the likes few have rivaled in the MTSU debate team's long history. While recently in Spokane, Washington, the team placed first in the varsity division, and earned the top season-long award in the team International Public Debate Association format. This year's team has earned five top national awards, a regional title, two state titles, and a total of 148 awards in this season alone.

Today I applaud the 25 dedicated students who make up the Blue Raider Debate Team. These young men and women of all backgrounds coming together to work as a team to accomplish a common goal, serves as an excellent example for all of us. Congratulations to Middle Tennessee State University and the Blue Raiders Debate Team for representing not only their school, but the 4th district of Tennessee in a first-class manner.

Mr. Speaker, as mentioned, the James K. Polk Presidential Home Study Act would require the Department of the Interior to study adding our 11th President's only surviving residence to the National Park Service. The aim of my bill is to help the charity that currently maintains the property in Columbia, Tennessee, to preserve it for future generations.

Two hundred years ago, Columbia was a frontier town in a new State. Nobody knew the United States would eventually stretch from sea to shining sea, but James Polk had confidence and vision.

He was a country lawyer who rose from the Tennessee State house to the Governor's office, then to the House of Representatives here in Congress. James Polk was the only Speaker of the House to ever be elected President.

Polk oversaw the establishment of the U.S. Naval Academy, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Department of the Interior.

Most importantly, he fulfilled his promise to Western settlers to expand the country's boundaries to the Pacific. Without James Polk's contributions, the United States might not look like it does today, a strong, prosperous Nation spanning a continent.

The outcome was not always certain; however, today, we enjoy the fruits of President Polk's often overlooked legacy. Many historians consider him to be the most successful pre-Civil War President. People in Columbia consider him a local hero. He is a national hero and deserves a place of honor in our National Park System.

I appreciate Representative Marsha Blackburn's support for my legislation to accomplish this goal. I also thank Senator Lamar Alexander, who has offered companion legislation in the Senate, and we all anticipate progress.

I want to thank the Columbia city leaders and the many volunteers who have tirelessly worked on this project and helped bring this issue to my attention. We all look forward to its continued prosperity and recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Thompson. We really do appreciate his leadership on this issue and his passion. He spent so much time and effort to get this right, and it is really rare in this country where you can get so many people to come together--especially in these times--and agree on one thing.

But when it comes to work-capable people between age 18 and 59 contributing to the workforce, about 80 percent of Americans agree on this. This is across the aisle. This is Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. It is hard to get people to agree on anything, but this is just such a commonsense, humane thing to do.

I don't fully understand who the 2 in 10 are who would disagree with this. Maybe they are people who are not working who are able-bodied. But at any rate, this is something that is designed to help lift people from poverty, break the cycle of debt, and get people to work and feel good about themselves.

I would urge everyone listening to call their Representatives and their Senators and urge them to support this farm bill because it is well thought out. The time is right. The jobless claims are down in this country, yet there are people all over our districts

who are clamoring to us about the lack of skilled workers.

All throughout Tennessee's Fourth District, there are people asking me: How do we get people to come and work? And here is a solution that we have people who can go out and get good-paying jobs, break the cycle. They are able to work. They are capable of working, but for some reason just haven't reentered the workforce. And, frankly, our government has made it too easy for people not to work. They have made it too comfortable. We have been bad parents.

It is time to do the right thing. We all need to contribute to this country. We have record debts, and getting people back to work is the answer.

But when you hear folks who are opposed to work requirements for people who are able-bodied, I just would ask you to ask them why. It does not help their self-esteem. It does not help their country. It does not help their families. And what we are offering here is an opportunity to work 20 hours a week. If you are still in need of assistance, you will get it. If you don't have the proper training, this will allow you to get training. We are making this mandatory.

So either you are going to become a part of the workforce, you are going to be trained to become part of the workforce, or you are simply going to choose not to work; and, in that case, you might lose your food stamps benefits. But that is the whole point of this, is to help people make the right decision, make good choices; and, again, 80 percent of the country agrees with this across the aisle. So there should be no real controversy on this. There should be no reason that people don't want to support this bill.

It is the right thing to do. It is the right time. There are jobs available. It is just simply a matter of people breaking that cycle, getting out, contributing, and feeling good about themselves again. I really can't understand why we have opposition to this great piece of work that was put together. It is great that it is coming in the form of the farm bill.

I stand in strong support of this and am grateful for the gentleman's work and the work of so many on the committee, and the Members, and the staff to help get people in the right place, back to work, and still protecting and preserving the safety-net program that is vital for so many people.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained due to a medical appointment. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea on Roll Call No. 607, and Yea on Roll Call No. 608.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 106th National Day of the Republic of China, which falls on October 10th, and to extend my best wishes to the people of Taiwan.

The U.S. and Taiwan have maintained a close and mutually-beneficial relationship based on our shared values of freedom, democracy and free enterprise. The passage of the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979 has contributed to the peace and stability of the Asia Pacific region, and enabled the people of Taiwan to build a prosperous and democratic society. Since then, Congress has continued to play a strong role in bolstering our bilateral security, economic and cultural ties.

This close relationship was exemplified recently in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, when the government of Taiwan not only offered their support but also donated $800,000 to the disaster relief efforts. I would like to join my colleagues in recognizing this generous donation and offer my sincere thanks.

I extend my best wishes to the people of Taiwan as they celebrate their National Day and I look forward to continuing our strong relationship for many decades to come.

Mr. Chairman, no one can deny we have a readiness issue within our military due to funding shortfalls. This comes at a time when we are facing unprecedented threats all over the globe. Our Constitution makes it clear that our top priority and duty is to provide for the common defense.

In World War II, Americans willingly rationed whatever was necessary to support the war effort and our troops. It would have been unthinkable--unimaginable--for someone to suggest that our military could not have the resources necessary to defeat our enemies, unless we had equal spending for everything else. Simply put, we would have lost the war and our freedom.

We cannot lose sight or take for granted our Nation's safety and security. Without it, the rest of the discretionary budget really doesn't matter so much.

I fear America has lost its way if we live in a culture that would suggest that we can't support our most vital obligation without equal financial representation of our other government expenditures.

I urge my colleagues to give our full support to the men and women in uniform, support the underlying bill, but oppose this amendment that adds unnecessarily to our debt and further threatens our ability to keep our Nation safe for the remaining threats we face.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to address illegal immigration and what House Republicans are doing to ensure Americans' safety. This week, we voted to defund sanctuary cities that harbor criminals like the man who murdered Kate Steinle in San Francisco.

My heart goes out to her parents and families around the country who have lost loved ones to foreign nationals who should have never been in this country in the first place.

We passed Kate's Law to increase penalties on previously deported illegal immigrants. Also, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act would defund sanctuary cities and prevent lawsuits against local governments that follow Federal law.

Shockingly, Nashville, in my home State of Tennessee, has been considering a sanctuary bill, even though murders this year already outnumber last year's total.

Some on the city council want Nashville to become a magnet for violent gangs that transport drugs and human beings. Sanctuary policies endanger not only San Francisco or Nashville but the entire U.S.

President Trump is cracking down on immigration crime. Illegal border crossings are down, and arrests and deportations of criminal aliens are up, just as Americans demanded last November.

Here in the House, we are keeping our promises and our country safe.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the importance of technical education.

Technical education allows Americans of nearly any age to gain practical skills for the modern economy. Students graduate with less debt and also great career prospects because growing industries often partner with local education centers to find the best employees.

My home State of Tennessee, where global auto companies have created a network of high-tech manufacturers, is a prime example. This week, in Franklin County, we are celebrating the groundbreaking of another Tennessee College of Applied Technology campus. The program has been enormously successful across the State, helping Tennesseans who prefer to learn a trade to find meaningful work and helping employers to fill specialized jobs.

I applaud President Trump for his focus on apprenticeship and vocational programs to create jobs and economic growth. This week, I voted to simplify Federal funding for States, which administer a broad range of programs for everything from mechanics to coding. I have also voted to lift Federal restrictions on overdue energy and infrastructure projects requiring thousands of engineers and operators.

The United States must always be an industrial leader. That leadership starts with hardworking Americans pursuing their passions through technical education.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reflect on what Memorial Day means to our country. Memorial Day truly is a special occasion in which we honor the brave men and women in uniform who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Many from the Volunteer State died on the battlefield to defend our Nation. Because of them, and so many others from across our Nation, we enjoy our freedoms and many blessings. The debt we owe them is immeasurable.

But we can honor their memory and make life easier for families of fallen heroes like Lance Corporal Andrew P. Carpenter, from Columbia, Tennessee, who died fighting in Afghanistan. Although his loan provider forgave his student loan debt, Andrew's family owed taxes on the discharged amount. I introduced the Tax Relief for Our Nation's Heroes Act to resolve this IRS oversight.

Military families should have more peace of mind, which is part of my job on the House Armed Services Committee.

I would like to thank all those who have worn the uniform of the U.S. military, and offer my prayers for the safety of thousands now serving in harm's way.