Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding.

I rise in support of Representative Kim's Microloan Improvement Act. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this important legislation.

Access to financial capital is essential to the success of America's small businesses and their entrepreneurs. This bipartisan bill is straightforward and effective. It increases the number of nonprofit community-based lenders that can offer loans through the SBA's microloan program.

Representative Kim's bill works in tandem with the Microloan Transparency and Accountability Act, my small business legislation that we will debate shortly, to expand access to financial resources that will help our aspiring small business owners and entrepreneurs chase down the American Dream.

I encourage my colleagues to support this important bipartisan legislation.

Madam Speaker, the Microloan Transparency and Accountability Act is important bipartisan legislation that gives all entrepreneurs fair access to the Small Business Administration's microloan program.

As a former small business owner, I know accessible financial resources are important for growth, innovation, and success. Working folks have to jump on the first horse that comes down the pike, as my dad used to say, or need to dip into personal savings, like I did. Wealthy folks have family assets. Inner cities and rural Appalachia don't have those same opportunities, Madam Speaker. These are hardworking Americans just looking to get their foot in the door and to have a fair shot.

This legislation aims to boost rural small business participation in the SBA microloan program by requiring the Small Business Administration to submit to Congress a financial analysis of the microloan program. This ensures Federal microloans are targeted toward rural areas, not just large urban centers, and creates important oversight that reduces fraud and government waste.

These fixes will allow America's entrepreneurs, regardless of background or location, to have easier access to capital that helps them reach their goals.

I am proud to partner with Representatives Andy Kim, Scott Fitzgerald, and Marie Newman on this legislation that will make a difference for east Tennessee's mom-and-pop shops and small businesses across our great country.

Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago, Frank Cagle, my close friend and a good Libertarian conservative, passed away after a battle with cancer.

Frank was a brave American who served with the 82nd Airborne during the Vietnam war. Following his service, he attended college and worked for newspapers across the South.

In 1982, Frank came to east Tennessee to work at the Knoxville News Sentinel as a copy editor. His passion was reporting on State and local politics. Frank put his commentary into action, serving as deputy to Knoxville Mayor, Victor Ashe, and working as campaign manager on Congressman Van Hilleary's 2002 bid for Governor.

He later returned to journalism, writing columns and analyzing policy for Knox TN Today, WATE, and back at the Knoxville News Sentinel. Frank

focused his career on delivering unbiased political reporting, and his contributions will leave a long-lasting impression on all of us in east Tennessee.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to celebrate Frank's life and recognize his dedication to our community on the House floor.

Rest in peace, my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a report from the Associated Press detailing the detention of AP reporter Thein Zaw by Burmese authorities.

[From the AP, Mar. 12, 2021]

Myanmar Court Extends Detention of AP Journalist

Yangon, Myanmar (AP).--A court in Myanmar extended on

Friday the pretrial detention of an Associated Press

journalist who was arrested while covering demonstrations

against a coup. He is facing a charge that could send him to

prison for three years.

Thein Zaw, 32, was one of nine media workers taken into

custody during a protest on Feb. 27 in Yangon, the country's

largest city, and has been held without bail. His next

hearing at the Kamayut Township court will be on March 24.

Friday's hearing, which Thein Zaw attended via

videoconference, came at the end of his initial remand

period.

Thein Zaw and at least six other members of the media have

been charged with violating a public order law, according to

his lawyer, Tin Zar Oo, and the independent Assistance

Association for Political Prisoners. Separate hearings were

held Friday for the other detained journalists.

Tin Zar Oo and one of Thein Zaw's brothers were allowed

into the courtroom to take part in the 10-minute

videoconference. Tin Zar Oo said she was able to submit

documents giving her power of attorney for the case, but only

at the next hearing might be allowed to submit a bail

application.

A representative of the U.S. Embassy was also present, said

Aryani Manring, a spokeswoman for the mission.

Thein Zaw had not been seen by his lawyer or any of his

family members since his arrest. Tin Zar Oo said visits at

lnsein Prison, where her client is being held, are not

allowed because of coronavirus concerns, so his family has

been dropping off food and supplies for him at the gate.

Tin Zar Oo said that her client looked healthy during

Friday's hearing, but he suffers from asthma at night. She

said Thein Zaw's brother noted that he had lost weight.

Thein Zaw was arrested as he was photographing police, some

of them armed, charging down a street at anti-coup

protesters. A video shows that although he stepped to the

side of the street to get out of their way, several police

rushed over and surrounded him. One put him in a chokehold as

he was handcuffed and then taken away.

According to the Assistance Association for Political

Prisoners, 38 journalists have been detained since the

military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on

Feb. 1. Nineteen are still incarcerated.

The group says it has verified the detentions of more than

2,000 people as well as 69 deaths.

On Friday, local media in Shan State in eastern Myanmar

reported that a freelance journalist from Poland had been

beaten and arrested by security forces.

The online Kanbawza Tai News said a foreign photojournalist

was arrested Thursday while taking pictures of a protest in

the city of Taunggyi. A photo provided to the news site shows

a man trapped against a wall with one arm raised as he is

surrounded by about 10 soldiers.

Germany's dpa news agency said the man, Robert Bociaga, 30,

has been working for the news service, and it has not been

able to contact him.

``We are deeply shocked by the arrest and apparent

mistreatment of Robert Bociaga,'' said the agency's editor-

in-chief, Sven Goesmann. ``This is an intolerable and

unacceptable attack on the freedom of the press and, even in

this brutal form, is unfortunately not an isolated case.''

The Polish Foreign Ministry confirmed the arrest of a

Polish journalist and said it was trying to contact the

detained man and obtain information about his health and

legal situation.

Earlier this week, Myanmar authorities canceled the

licenses of five local outlets that had extensively covered

the protests. Mizzima, Democratic Voice of Burma, Khit Thit

Media, Myanmar Now and 7Day News have continued operating

despite being barred from broadcasting or publishing on any

media platform.

The Associated Press and many press freedom organizations

have called for the release of Thein Zaw and the other

detained journalists.

The U.S. government, in addition to criticizing the coup

and the violence of Myanmar's security forces, has condemned

the crackdown on the press in the Southeast Asian nation.

``We are deeply concerned about the increasing attacks on

the freedom of expression, including for members of the

press. We call for the release of journalists and for all

others who have been unjustly detained,'' U.S. State

Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters in

Washington on Thursday.

Even during Suu Kyi's time in office, journalists were

often sued for their reporting.

In the highest-profile case, two journalists working for

the Reuters news agency were arrested in 2017 while working

on a story about military violence directed at Myanmar's

Rohingya minority. They were accused of illegally possessing

official documents and sentenced to seven years behind bars

before being freed in 2019 in a mass presidential pardon.

Mr. Zaw has been jailed for covering the violence leveled against anti-coup demonstrators in Burma.

Thanks to Mr. Zaw and other journalists on the ground, we know what is going on in Burma is pure evil. The autocratic strongmen leading this coup are using deadly force to crack down on all dissenting speech. Burmese authorities, under the direction of these military thugs, are actively murdering demonstrators, arresting thousands, and imprisoning international reporters covering the situation.

Senseless violence, military rule, and imprisoning political opponents all fly directly in the face of the democratic values we cherish as Americans.

Today, this Chamber has the opportunity to condemn the hostile takeover of the Burmese Government, defend the demonstrators looking for peace, and stand up for democracy in Burma.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support both H. Res. 134 and H.R. 1112.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 682, the Reopen Schools Act, to get our kids from behind screens and back in the classroom.

Mr. Speaker, today is International Women's Day, and I rise to celebrate three special women who are in my life.

My mother, Joyce Burchett, was the youngest of seven. One of her brothers was actually killed by the Nazis shortly after D-day in the Second World War.

She flew planes in World War II to help with the war effort. That is my wonderful mama right there. She was doing that when my dad was off fighting the Japanese during the Second World War.

She was the youngest of seven, as I stated, and she didn't even have electricity until she was a senior in high school.

This is my wife, Kelly, and my daughter, Isabel. Kelly was a single mom when I met her. Being a mom is already a really tough job, and doing it alone is even tougher. I am blessed to raise Isabel along with Kelly and to be a father to her. She has been one of the greatest joys in my life. They both have been.

My mother was and Kelly and Isabel are strong and determined women. They influence and inspire me every day, and I am grateful to have them in my life.

Madam Speaker, my Democrat colleagues say that the 2020 election was the least corrupt and most secure in our Nation's history. But if that is true, Madam Speaker, then why are they pushing an 800- page bill to fix it?

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, the number one second baseman on the team.

The bill you are about to vote on is the gravy train, and the final stop before it goes off the cliff is this Chamber, Mr. Speaker. It costs $1.9 trillion, and only 9 percent goes to addressing the coronavirus.

It is easy to understand why my colleagues across the aisle are so eager to vote for this massive bailout, because everything in it is for political paybacks: $300 billion for mismanaged governments in blue States; $100 million for a subway for Speaker Pelosi; even Mr. Schumer gets a bridge to nowhere.

There is way too much dadgum pork in here for special interests that have nothing to do with addressing the coronavirus. This was drafted for the politicians in D.C., not my constituents in east Tennessee.

Mr. Speaker, I will proudly vote ``no'' on this so-called relief package.

Mr. Speaker, February is Black History Month, as we all know. Today, I rise to recognize WJBE, Knoxville's only Black-owned radio station and a media cornerstone in our community.

WJBE was originally founded by the godfather of soul, James Brown, and WJBE actually stood for, back then, James Brown Enterprises. It was reorganized in 2013, thanks to the efforts of my good friend and former colleague in the Tennessee General Assembly, Joe Armstrong, along with his partner and station manager, Gene Thomas, Jr.

WJBE has grown into a unique home for Knoxville's Black voices. On WJBE, musicians showcase their talents, business owners promote their services, and public officials share how the latest policies impact the people they represent, and that is me included.

Thanks to this station, the successes and stories of the local Black community are heard year-round, not just during Black History Month.

WJBE is an invaluable part of east Tennessee's culture, Mr. Speaker, and I am proud to share the station's story here on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Clayton Edward Narveson, an American hero and World War II combat veteran.

Mr. Narveson joined the United States Marine Corps following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He fought in the Battle of Tarawa in November of 1943. And during February and March of 1945, he served as a gunner on an 81 mm mortar during the Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history, and our country's history.

After the war, Mr. Narveson attended St. Paul College of Law and had a successful career as an attorney.

For two decades, Mr. Narveson has made presentations to students telling some of the stories of his times in service and the struggles he and his family faced during the Great Depression. Through these presentations, he reminds young folks of the importance of serving your country and how blessed we are to live in the United States of America.

There are real heroes in this world, and they aren't music stars, famous athletes, or Hollywood actors. Our country's heroes are the men and women of our Armed Forces, like Mr. Narveson, who served and sacrificed for our freedom.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to honor Clayton Narveson as the Tennessee Second District's July 2019 Veteran of the Month and to thank him for his service to our country, his dedication to his work and family, and for his continued support of our community and our great country.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table H.R. 3401, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment. This bipartisan bill passed the Senate with 84 votes and could be sent to the President's desk for his signature today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, if this unanimous consent request cannot be entertained, I urge the Speaker and the majority leader to immediately schedule the Born-Alive bill because survivors of abortion deserve protection, and the American people deserve a vote on this bill.

Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 962.

Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker, I suggest to you that Congress is out of order when we fail to protect the least amongst us.

Madam Chair, I rise today to speak on behalf of Dr. Burgess' Amendment to H.R. 1500, the Consumers First Act.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has two primary flaws. First, Congress does not oversee the agency, and a sole director determines its priorities. Second, instead of securing funding through the Congressional appropriations process, the CFPB receives money from the Federal Reserve. This funding method exempts it from budgetary limitations and is a prime candidate for the irresponsible use of tax dollars.

These practices do not serve the American people, those that this agency was designed to protect. Because of this current lack of oversight and accountability, the agency is vulnerable to political whims. An agency this powerful should have Congressional oversight.

Dr. Burgess' amendment, which I am proud to cosponsor, would help to right these wrongs. It would subject the CFBP to the Congressional appropriations process, just like other federal agencies of similar scope and size. This is not a partisan amendment: The simple change would increase resistance to political impulses and accountability to the American people.

Madam Speaker, on March 5th, I missed all called votes because my flight from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Washington, D.C., was cancelled and I was unable to arrive until after conclusion of the day's votes.

On Friday, May 17, I was being treated in the Emergency Department at George Washington University Hospital and was unable to vote on H.R. 5. Had I been able to vote, I would have voted against the bill.

Madam Speaker, I would like to include in the Record an editorial submitted to the Knoxville News Sentinel addressing the Tennessee Valley Authority's new CEO, Jeff Lyash, urging him to fix the current coal ash problem. I am also including a resolution introduced by Tennessee State Senator

Ken Yager calling for the TVA to make all board meetings open to the public.

[From Knoxville News Sentinel, on Apr. 14, 2019]

An Open Letter to TVA's New CEO: You Need to be the Leader Your

Predecessor Was Not, Here's How

(Unauthored Editorial)

Welcome to Tennessee, Mr. Lyash.

No doubt you had a busy first week as the new CEO of the

Tennessee Valley Authority.

And what a responsibility!

You lead the nation's first and largest regional planning

and economic development agency owned and operated by the

federal government.

You provide power for some 10 million people, and you

employ thousands in our state. You've taken over an

organization whose history and legacy are revolutionary and

inspiring. Few organizations have transformed the lives of so

many people, across so many generations. And we know you

believe deeply in this mission, a mission derived from

decades of service to improving the lives of the people of

the Tennessee Valley.

This is what has brought you to Knoxville.

Which is why today we challenge you to be the leader your

predecessor was not.

We challenge you to launch a fully independent and

transparent investigation of safety and workplace practices

that occurred in the aftermath of the massive Kingston coal

ash spill and cleanup--not just the TVA's own practices, but

those of every one of the contractors and subcontractors it

employs. We've reported extensively about the workers who

have died, and the hundreds of others who are sick, after

their exposure to the toxic ash. Learn from the mistakes of

the past and demand accountability.

We challenge you to commit to a top-to-bottom review and

overhaul of workplace safety at every power plant you

operate. Last week we reported about workers at two Tennessee

plants who are exposed to fly ash dust and flue gas without

masks or respirators.

We challenge you to review your relationship with Jacobs

Engineering. Although the case goes on, a federal jury

already found Jacobs breached its contract with the TVA and

its duty to ensure the health of cleanup workers. Yet you're

still doing hundreds of millions of dollars of business with

the company.

We challenge you to hire an independent consultant to

radically remake your internal reporting and whistle-blowing

procedures and make sure they are accessible to your

contractors as well. Your people are adamant no one should

fear workplace retaliation, yet your workers are coming to us

because they don't trust TVA.

We challenge you to rid the agency of double-speak and

misdirection--where it's culturally acceptable to mislead the

public, as Bill Johnson did when he said that the EPA, the

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and OSHA

were on site daily during the Kingston cleanup. Today at the

TVA it's acceptable for your official spokesman to recraft

this as mere hyperbole.

Finally, we challenge you to visit your employees in the

field. Talk to them. Not with an entourage, not with a

phalanx of handlers who will hand-select the ones who'll say

the ``right'' things to you. You need to hear the truth. You

need to visit sick men in hospitals and listen to their

stories. You need to sit down in the lunchroom with truck

drivers who are around fly ash all day. You need to walk

through the plant, see things yourself.

And then you need to do the right thing.