Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, we have no speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I object.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment will prevent the completion of the two most strategic initiatives funded by the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund--the Northeast and Southeast Power Systems--and limit the lasting counterinsurgency effects intended by the AIF program. Available, reliable power promotes jobs and economic development, which increases stability and reduces insurgency and insurgent influence.

Mr. Chairman, Kandahar Province has been a primary focus for AIF investment. Of all the areas in Afghanistan, none is more important to the future of the Afghan Government or to the Taliban insurgency than this province--the Taliban's birthplace, location of its former capital, and spiritual heart.

AIF projects support the ``Build'' phase of the Shape, Clear, Hold, Build counterinsurgency strategy and are a critical component of the integrated civil/military campaign that sets the conditions for Afghanistan's decade of transformation beyond 2014.

Power distribution is currently provided through 12 provinces, serving 10 million Afghans. And Mr. Chairman, let me just remind you that we just passed an amendment that already cuts this account by $79 million. This amendment cuts more funds than are left in the account.

According to DOD, the lack of reliable electricity is the single greatest impediment to Afghanistan's economic growth, and thereby the stability necessary to support drawdown and transition.

Significant work on five of the seven power projects is in its beginning stages and is unlikely to be completed until well after the NATO mission ends in 2014. If project goals are set and not achieved, both the U.S. and Afghan Governments can lose the populace's support. It's for these reasons that we remain in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the ranking member.

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

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

Objection.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, let's remind ourselves the Afghan Infrastructure Fund is aimed at providing water, power, and transportation projects, and more recently to increase the electricity supply throughout but, specifically in southern Afghanistan, to light shops and power factories and to construct provincial justice centers around the country.

It is clear that remaining projects could take 12 to 24 months to complete. A lot of work has already taken place, in particular on the seven power projects in its beginning stages; and as I said in the previous amendment, unlikely to be completed until well after the NATO mission ends in 2014. If these goals are not met, then a lot of great investment and a lot of good work will have gone for naught.

We remain in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

If the ranking member would like to speak on behalf, then I would be happy to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky).

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

Mr. Chairman, I am strongly opposed to the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I claim the time in opposition, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, the intent of the amendment's sponsor is to reduce the Afghanistan National Security Force's Fund by over $550 million in order to limit the purchase of Mi-17 helicopters.

I am pleased that my friend from Colorado at least acknowledged that he was not going to argue with the purpose of the helicopters and the need for the helicopters, because as we all know, a properly trained and equipped Afghanistan National Security Force is the safest and quickest path for our forces to leave Afghanistan. Reducing funding from this account will only inhibit our ability to achieve the goal.

The amount that the amendment seeks to cut, over $550 million, is for the purchase of 30 Mi-17 helicopters that were purchased with fiscal year 2012 funds, and Congress was later notified of the Secretary of Defense's intent to exercise the purchase on April 1 of 2013.

Mr. Chairman, the reduction of funds is being taken from a prior year allocation, or a prior year appropriation, which makes this amendment just simply a punitive amendment to this year's funding.

I oppose the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, the Afghan National Security Forces include both the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police. It has been one of the United States' top priorities since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001.

The purpose of the Afghan National Security Force development program is to grow the capacity and the capability of the Afghan National Security Forces in line with international agreements. This year's request totals $7.7 billion. The request is further delineated into the categories of Defense Forces, Interior Forces, and Detainee Operations. Included within the categories is the base request for operations and sustainment to conduct day-to-day operations, totaling just over $5 billion, and an additional $2.6 billion for the enablers, which my friend refers to in his comments from the well.

The gentleman says, if I heard him correctly, that we don't know what these enablers are. We do know what these enablers are, and people who have backgrounds in security or in the military would understand the importance of howitzers or of night vision devices or of regional military hospitals, training, logistics, and maintenance expenses, and a host of other associated items that we refer to in this legislation as ``enablers.''

The Department of Defense has taken steps to right-size the funding needed to support the needs of the Afghan National Security Forces. The core request is, indeed, the right amount. Calendar year 2014, Mr. Chairman, will be the last year that a large U.S. troop concentration will be in Afghanistan. In the years to follow, the Afghan National Security Forces will be there as the frontline force, thus helping to protect the U.S. and NATO troops against our foes.

With that, I remain opposed to the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

First of all, we have the list.

I recognize that the gentleman has argued that, while there may be something printed on the list, on paper, of ``how would we know that it's actually going to go for those purposes?'' I get that, but let me also remind the gentleman that this was all in the President's request as well.

I would be happy to yield to my friend from California.

So I'm assuming that the gentleman would admit that the President is wrong in this case as well.

In reclaiming my time, Mr. Chairman, I would just simply say that we have the list. On the list are, certainly, items that would go to the very core of the capability of the Afghan National Security Forces in order for them to be able to protect themselves and to be able to protect us as we continue to prepare for leaving that theater of operation. So I am strongly opposed to the gentleman's amendment.

At this time, in my having no further comments, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome the newest member of the Womack family--the birth of Kaden Houston Womack, late Thursday. He is the son of Phillip and Kaylee, and the grandson of Kathy Vance and Earl Vance and Steve and Terri Womack.

At 5 pounds and 10 ounces, Kaden entered this world completely oblivious to the difficult and complex issues facing our Nation and, indeed, the world. Like every newborn in America, Kaden should have a clear path to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But Mr. Speaker, instead he inherits about $50,000 of debt that he had absolutely nothing to do with in its creation.

That's a challenge we must overcome. It is simply unacceptable-- downright irresponsible--for these innocent babies to face growing up paying for our extravagance.

This grandpa is grateful Kaden was born to good personal health, and this grandpa will continue to do his part in Congress to ensure a bright and sustainable future for his generation.

To my newest grandson: Welcome, Kaden. Happy birthday.

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

Mr. Speaker, it's with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the memory of a young man from my district killed in an industrial accident at Arkansas Nuclear One power generating facility.

Wade Walters was 24. He was a Russellville, Arkansas, resident and a graduate of Pottsville High School. He loved his job as an ironworker at Precision Surveillance Corporation and embraced all the outdoors had to offer, including bow fishing, hunting, shooting, canoeing, roping, and knife collecting.

Wade is survived by his father, James Keith Walters, of Dover, Arkansas; his mother, Susan Allen, and husband, Rusty; a sister, Chelsy; his grandparents, Tom and Bonnie Underhill; and the love of his life, Alyssa Alvey, all of Russellville.

Mr. Speaker, Wade gave a lot of himself. As a member of Russellville Christian Center, Wade went on numerous mission trips to Mexico to build housing for those in need. He had a big heart for his family and friends and was a constant source of inspiration to all he met.

We pray for peace and understanding for his family during this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman.

Mr. Speaker, our Framers were visionaries. They had the foresight to not only establish constitutional principles and processes that address the challenges of their day, but that still sustain and guide this country 230-plus years later.

Now, I don't think there's any question that this particular government, this Federal Government, has gotten away from proven and time-tested processes required by our Constitution and has stretched constitutional authority to its limits.

We're operating under continuing resolutions. That seems to be normal today. We've submitted budgets that are now over 2 months late. And we have taken other steps, right here in these Halls, that have served to usurp the rights that belong to our States.

Doing so has left us vulnerable, Mr. Speaker, to rulings like the D.C. Court of Appeals ruling on February 8 that said that the President's recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board were unconstitutional.

Now, like my friends on the other side of the aisle, and like you, Mr. Speaker, we have all raised our hand and said that we're going to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and you know the rest. We've all taken that oath.

The Noel Canning decision holds the President's recess appointments are in direct contradiction to what the Framers outlined in article II, section 2, clause 2 of the Constitution. And, as a result of the ruling, each decision made by that Board since that time has been called into question.

Mr. Speaker, I, personally, don't have anything against the individuals who have been appointed to the NLRB. And it's irrelevant whether I agree or disagree with the Board's rulings.

My concerns are, and the concern of each and every Member of this House should be the fact that we continually push the limits of our Constitution, the checks and balances outlined in this sacred document.

At its best, this Court of Appeals ruling provides uncertainty, and the last thing that this country, this economy needs is uncertainty.

I recognize the weight of the decisions made on the interpretation of the Constitution. They are tough. It is no easy task. And that's why I don't think it's unreasonable to press the pause button on the decisions emanating from this Board until we get a final ruling. It is irresponsible, in my strong opinion, not to.

That's why I appreciate my friend from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) for authoring this legislation. I support it wholeheartedly and recommend its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer early birthday greetings to one of America's Greatest Generation. James O. Clemons turns 90 next week, and it's important for him to know how grateful we are for his service to country.

Inducted into the Army in 1943, Mr. Clemons found himself in the Army Air Corps as a flight engineer, mechanic, and gunner. Based in Italy during World War II, Tech Sergeant Clemons and his unit, the 827th Bomb Squadron, 484th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, flew missions in Italy, the Balkans, Austria, Germany, and southern France. A recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and of a number of other decorations, Tech Sergeant Clemons, like millions of other great Americans, answered his Nation's call, and as Tom

Brokaw wrote in his famous book: ``They won the war. They saved the world.''

Mr. Speaker, we're losing this generation of patriots. In fact, Tech Sergeant Clemons and Tail Gunner Joseph Wythe are the last living crewmembers of his unit. So it is with a great source of honor that, in advance of his special day next week, March 27, and on behalf of the people's House, I say, Happy 90th birthday to James O. Clemons of Catoosa, Oklahoma.

Amendment XIV:

Section 1:

``All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.''

Section 2:

``Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed.''

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, just a few weeks before we bid farewell to 2012, I rise today to acknowledge a noteworthy anniversary celebrated just a few weeks ago--the 80th anniversary of the Hartford Music Company's famous song, ``I'll Fly Away.''

This staple of gospel music was written by the legendary Albert E. Brumley and has been recorded more than 5,000 times by celebrated performers from Aretha Franklin and Kanye West to the Boston Pops and the Blind Boys of Alabama. The song is published in most major church hymnals, and its distinctive melody frequents funerals, gospel concerts, and community singings around America.

So, Mr. Speaker, on this milestone anniversary of the publication of this national treasure in song, let us reflect on the chorus, just as Brumley wrote a few decades ago:

I'll fly away old glory,

I'll fly away.

When I die,

Hallelujah by and by,

I'll fly away.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove myself as a cosponsor of H.R. 6085.

I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I also oppose the amendment.

The Community Development Block Grant program is very important to cities and States throughout our country. As a former mayor, I can attest to the fact of the impact the Community Development Block Grants have on our local communities. This year, we had many Members, both Republicans and Democrats, request funding for CDBG programs. For many Members, there is strong constituent support for the program.

The section 108 CDBG loan guarantee is a good community development tool because it does something that we should be interested in doing, and that is leveraging funding. With only $6 million provided in the bill, HUD is able to

make nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in loan guarantees for community development. So it's a small amount of Federal money that creates a pretty significant impact. Now, if a fee is warranted, we would encourage the authorizing committee to enact legislation to create a fee and lower the cost of the program.

So I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I want to thank the chairman of our committee and the ranking member, Mr. Visclosky, for their great leadership.

As has been mentioned in the limited discussion we've had already, great kudos have been given to Rob and the staff team here that have done such a remarkable job. I'm just a freshman on this committee, and this is my first trip through these appropriations processes. But I've got to tell you that when I go back to my district, I brag on the competence of the staff that work so hard to ensure that the intent of the Congress and of our committee is carried out. So to Rob and his team, I can't thank them enough for the work that they've done.

We've also mentioned Chairman Rogers and the ranking member, Mr. Dicks, and the full committee for the great leadership that they provide. Hopefully, tonight people can see that amidst all of our difficulties and all of our divisions between the Congress, that people can understand that there are things that we can agree on.

Mr. Chairman, I think that this Energy and Water bill reflects the priorities of our country. There's no question that one of the great priorities facing our country today is the fiscal condition that we're in. And while we'd like to see funding levels at greater than what we're marking tonight, clearly the fiscal condition of our country, money is an object, and it is something that we have to take into consideration.

But I think, as I said, it reflects the priorities, conservative values that lead, guide and direct our fiscal position; but it also addresses some very key national security issues with regard to the National Nuclear Security Administration. And as has already been mentioned, it does put money into programs that drive energy-- commonsense, all-of-the-above energy strategies for our Nation.

So, with that, I would commend this bill to this Congress in hopes that we can run rapidly through it. I know there will be amendments. The open rule is a great process, and we're fully supportive of that. But again, I want to commend the chairman and the ranking member for the great leadership, their staffs, and encourage support for this bill and look forward to the process with amendments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a milestone achievement at Kennametal, a company headquartered in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, with facilities across the country, including one in the Third District of Arkansas.

The employees at the Rogers facility were presented with the Three Million Work Hour Award by the Arkansas Department of Labor, the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission, and the Arkansas Insurance Department for, as the name of the award suggests, going 3 million work hours without a lost-time accident.

Kennametal's Rogers, Arkansas, facility was established in 1953. The facility is home to 500 employees who manufacture round tool blanks, energy compacts, substrates, wear parts, pelletizing dies, hard-facing rod, and powdered metal.

Mr. Speaker, 3 million work hours without a lost-time accident is a great accomplishment. It's a testament to what can be done when a group of employees, however large, share a common vision and come together to work toward that goal. Today, I'm honored to share this accomplishment with the Nation. Congratulations, Kennametal. You deserve it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the service of Joe Landers, chief of police in Lowell, Arkansas, who died Friday morning, May 4, as a result of injuries suffered in a hit-and-run, drunk driver accident while on vacation in Florida on April 27.

Chief Landers was a dedicated public servant--everything you could want in a leader. He loved his job, his community, those under his command, and the people he served. It was evident in the way he carried out his duties.

He began his law enforcement career with the Benton County Sheriff's Office before joining the Lowell Police Department in 1995. In 1997, he was promoted to chief, and in the last 15 years, led his organization during a period of unprecedented growth. He was responsible for the development of the Lowell motorcycle patrol, dispatch center, K 9 unit, and the Special Response Team. In 2005, Chief Landers performed international duty as a law enforcement adviser in Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, our State and Nation has lost a valued member of the law enforcement community. Tomorrow will be a sad day when we say our final good-byes. I speak for Arkansas' Third Congressional District in expressing our deepest sympathy to his family, to the city of Lowell, and to the great State of Arkansas.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and service of Command Sergeant Major (retired) Herb Brav.

This extraordinary American, who served his country in uniform for over 30 years and another 27 years as waterfront, gymnasium, and physical fitness director for the Multinational Force and Observers, Sinai, Egypt, died March 9, 2012, in St. Augustine, Florida.

Herb was a legend. A former heavyweight boxer, he joined the Army in 1947, served tours in Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam. His iconic service with the MFO impacted thousands of soldiers from many contingent forces. I fondly remember his mantra: ``When the will is strong, everything is easy.'' Soldiering was everything to this patriot. He rarely took a vacation, and never spent a Christmas away from the soldiers at South Camp.

Madam Speaker, it is a great honor to speak on behalf of MFO veterans worldwide, his wife, Gisela, and his two children in saluting Herb Brav for his service to country and his fellow man.

Let us remember his immortal words: ``When the will is strong, everything is easy.''