Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a Hoosier hero who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Deputy Jacob Pickett of the Boone County Sheriff's Office was killed in the line of duty on March 2, 2018.

Jacob was a 5-year veteran in law enforcement and served as the leader in the department's K-9 unit. He held the ranking of sheriff deputy in Boone County.

One of Indiana's finest, Jacob is a hero and acted selflessly on the day that took an unexpected and fatal turn. But he died doing what he was trained to do: protecting the thin blue line and keeping the community he loved safe from harm's grasp, and he did that that day.

Boone County citizens and all Hoosiers mourn over the loss of Jacob, who was known as a man of integrity and compassion.

Jacob leaves behind his wife, Jennifer, two young children, and his K-9 partner, Brik, to carry on his legacy of service to fellow Hoosiers. His sacrifice will never be forgotten.

As the Gospel of Matthew says:

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called

children of God.

Rest in peace, Deputy Pickett.

Mr. Speaker, we have done our job. President Trump is doing his. The House has passed a spending bill that keeps our government open, funds our military, and helps protect healthcare for millions of low-income children, but Senate Democrats only want to obstruct President Trump. They are opposed to a bill that has everything in it that they are not opposed to, but they hold out for more.

Why?

Because they are putting amnesty for illegal immigrants above law- abiding citizens. This is unacceptable.

They are putting amnesty for illegal immigrants ahead of healthcare for low-income children.

They are putting amnesty for illegal immigrants ahead of funding our military.

They won't allow anything that includes President Trump's wall.

This is inexcusable. We need border security. We need to keep our government open. We need to fund our military. And we need to provide healthcare for millions of low-income children.

This is not a complicated matter, and voters should hold Democrats in the House and Senate responsible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National School Choice Week and talk about the importance of choice for parents when deciding where to send their kids.

For millions of families, their local public school simply cannot provide the education that their child needs. For instance, recovery schools create a safe environment for students who are struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol.

As chairman of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood and Secondary Education, I accompanied Secretary DeVos last September when she visited the H.O.P.E. Academy, a recovery school located in Indianapolis, Indiana.

There, I heard the story of Jeremy, who, like many kids, wanted to fit in. One day, Jeremy reconnected with an old friend, who offered him marijuana. Before long, he was using and selling even harder drugs. Eventually, he was blacking out and was arrested. He could not find the help he needed at his local school.

Thankfully, he and his parents found and enrolled in H.O.P.E. Academy. Because of H.O.P.E. Academy, Jeremy got clean, enrolled in seminary, and met his wife. Just 1 year ago, they welcomed their first child.

It is because of these stories, and so many others, Mr. Speaker, that I fully support the right of parents to find the school that works best for them and their kids.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. I rise in strong support of this bill which includes a provision identical to the legislation that I have been cosponsoring the last two Congresses, H.R. 986, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act. I also want to thank all of the Members who came in support of this legislation here today and last Congress from this side of the aisle who stood up for the rights of sovereign nations, our friends, Native Americans, and who made very clear the issue before us today.

It was mentioned by the naysayers on the other side of the aisle that the NLRA, the National Labor Relations Act, started in 1935. If you go back to that legislation--and it still exists today in the same form-- you see that Federal, State, and local governments are exempted from the act for good reason.

This was supposed to always be a private sector labor relations act and bill. Now, we can argue the pros and cons of that all day long, but that is not the debate here today. The fact of the matter is that governments were specifically exempted.

Mr. Speaker, why does that not include our Native American friends who have sovereign nations? You know, I took my two boys--Kathy and I took my two boys, Ryan and Teddy, to a water park this year and last year--two different cities in my district. Those cities operated the water park. They owned it. We paid the fee. We went in. We used it.

The employees who worked there--and they were excellent--were exempt from the NLRA. Yet the Democrats who pander to groups left and right are now saying that they are for the sovereign rights of the government, of our Native American Tribes, but they say this isn't that bill. No, it is. It is that simple.

You are either for their sovereignty, Mr. Speaker, or you are not. And that is all this bill does. It doesn't choose between friends. The Democrats do not need to worry. It is either you are for people in believing in their own destiny and manifesting it, or you think that you have to subject them to your will. That is all this bill is about.

By the way, I think it is absolutely ridiculous--Dr. Roe asked the question. I won't ask the question. I will put it in statement form. I think it is absolutely ridiculous that some Members, Mr. Speaker, can come to the floor of the House today and say that this is not an important bill, that the rights of the governments of sovereign nations aren't important, and that there are other things to do.

Yet, three times today, the Democrats motioned to adjourn the House, wasting precious legislative time. This bill is supported by more than 150 Tribes. The chamber of commerce supports the bill. Four Democrats cosponsor the bill, and I thank each of them for it. Last Congress, the bill passed the House with bipartisan support. And, Mr. Speaker, I suspect it will again today.

Let's get this job done. Let's support our Native American friends. Let's support the sovereignty of the governments at the Federal, State, and local level. Support this bill, especially subsection 3.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the India Association of Indianapolis (IAI). The IAI is a non-profit organization that unites Indian-Americans located in the central Indiana area. It has become a vital cultural bridge between Indian-Hoosiers and the community.

The IAI was founded in 1968 by fifteen families living in the Indianapolis area. Today, the IAI has a membership that exceeds 2,000 families and continues to climb. There are over 30,000 Indian-Americans living in the Indiana. The IAI has been a valuable voice for all Indian-Hoosiers and has increased understanding of India, Indian people, and Indian culture in central Indiana.

The mission of the IAI is to promote the cultural activities of India, to foster cultural exchange between people of India and the USA, and to carry out educational and charitable activities. Over the course of the last 50 years, the IAI has performed its mission admirably and has enriched the community immeasurably. It has played a crucial role to protecting, preserving, and promoting Indian traditions and has showcased the beauty of India to the Indianapolis community.

Whether it's the annual Diwali celebration, the Holi Festival, the yearly marking of India's independence, or a cricket game meant to foster friendship between the Indian and Pakistani-American community, the IAI has been a constant force of goodwill in Central Indiana. The IAI has grown exponentially since it was founded and is destined to do bigger and better things in the future. Indiana is lucky to have such an organization in its midst and I acknowledge the IAI, its leadership, and all its members.

Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, I would like to salute the India Association of Indianapolis.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and salute Blue Star Mothers in honor of Military Family Appreciation Month. Blue Star Mothers are mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who have children serving in the military, Guard or Reserve, or who are veterans. These women provide support for the service members that make up our military, the veterans on the homefront, and the families of our service members and veterans.

The Blue Star Mothers started in the United States 75 years ago during World War II in Flint, Michigan. On January 22, 1942, the Flint News Advertiser printed a coupon asking mothers of servicemen to return the coupon after filling it out. The following February, 300 mothers came together for their first meeting and decided to form a permanent organization. They started working in hospitals and train stations, packed care packages for soldiers, and became a working part of homeland security during times of war.

Today, Blue Star Mothers have a presence in 40 states consisting of almost 300 chapters nationwide. In the State of Indiana, we have seven chapters that I would like to recognize directly. These chapters are the Blue Star Mothers of Indiana out of Monticello, the Blue Star Hoosier Mothers out of Crawfordsville, the North Central Indiana Blue Star Mothers out of Kokomo, the St. Joe Valley Blue Star Mothers out of South Bend, the Fort Wayne Area Blue Star Mothers out of Fort Wayne, the Hoosier Heartland Blue Star Mothers out of Kokomo, and the Indy Blue Star Mothers out of Indianapolis. Each of these groups has had an incredible impact on our community and on the Hoosier service members and their families.

These women know what it means to serve our country. They live it each and every day. It is with their help and strength that we are able to have the greatest military the world has ever seen. Behind each of our heroes, both at home and abroad, you will likely find a Blue Star Mother providing them the support, encouragement, and courage they need to fight our foes. Mr. Speaker, we need more Americans like the Blue Star Mothers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the importance of life.

Thomas Jefferson famously wrote that every man has the right to ``life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.'' I hold this quote near and dear because we must defend these rights. That is certainly true with the right to life for a baby.

Last week, I met with Rachelle Heidelbaugh with Faith2Action. Rachelle told me her story about when she chose life and how she has continued fighting for life through Faith2Action. Her story was truly moving and pulled at the heartstrings. I couldn't help but give her a hug because her story is so meaningful and her efforts are truly saving lives.

While Rachelle visited, we talked about the Heartbeat bill. The Heartbeat bill would ensure that every unborn child with a heartbeat is protected. We need to do whatever we can to protect life, and this bill will allow us to keep on protecting unborn boys and girls.

Rachelle gave me the Heartbeat Bill Hero Award like many in this House have gotten. The award is this small token that I am proud to carry because it represents thousands of lives that are being saved.

I will always stand up for a baby's right to life, and I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting H.R. 490, the Heartbeat bill legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on October 31, 2017 as my flight to Washington D.C. was delayed and prevented me from being on the House floor in time.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 591.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a prominent Hoosier leader. Mr. Julian Ridlen passed away on October 10, 2017 surrounded by his loving family.

Julian was born to Charles Fred and Doris Franklin Ridlen in Decatur, Illinois on February 4, 1940. He graduated from MacArthur High School in 1958. On June 1, 1963, Julian was married to his wife Susanne Smith in Logansport, Indiana.

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history, with minors in political science, chemistry, and English from Anderson University. He then pursued his J.D. at the George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. before becoming a practicing attorney in 1968.

Anyone who knew Julian will tell you that he held three remarkable qualities: he was a historian, a true statesman, and had a deep love for the political process. He was no stranger to public service and frequently sought opportunities to provide leadership in various levels of government. He was elected City Court Judge in Logansport in 1971 and again in 1975. He then served as Indiana State Treasurer for two terms from 1979-1987. During this period, Julian was responsible for the creation of the Indiana Bond Bank, which has had a significant impact on the State of Indiana by helping us utilize our outstanding bond ratings and passing the interest savings onto all of our local schools, county and city governments, parks, and countless other entities. For the past ten years, Julian served as Judge of the Cass Circuit Court, serving as Senior Judge until his retirement in December 2016. In this capacity, he spearheaded many local initiatives that will benefit our community and the great State of Indiana for years to come.

Julian possessed another quality that can be recognized all too well: a servant's heart. Over the years, he was very active in various local organizations throughout our community, giving back more than we could ever return to him. He served in leadership positions as President of the Red Cross Board, Chairman of the U.S. Bicentennial Committee, Vice President of the United Fund, and President of the Youth Services Bureau. He was an active member of the Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Mental Health Association, and the Salvation Army. Julian also served as an Elder and taught Sunday school at Calvary Presbyterian Church.

Julian leaves behind his wife, Susanne, to carry on his legacy of service to fellow Hoosiers. His passing is a great loss for our community and the State of Indiana. Today, we recognize and respect that he led an amazing life and impacted more lives than we will ever know. Rest in peace Julian, he will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding and for hosting this Special Order. In my humble opinion, the people of New York are lucky to have a gentleman like him representing them; and I know it is the highest honor of his life as well.

I also want to associate with my good friend, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr), for the remarks he made. I think he has made an excellent record of not only the premise of the deal, but the effect of the deal so far.

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the gentleman from New York that Mr. Barr is going to be critical in leading the effort forward in sanctions, whether they are part of the JCPOA or not. I thank the gentleman from Kentucky for his words tonight as well.

Earlier this month, President Trump set a new direction for the United States, a direction of leadership. He made clear that we would no longer allow the Iranian Government to continue to pursue nuclear weapons, continue funding terrorism, or threaten the very existence of our great friend, Israel, the strongest ally we have in the region.

President Trump made clear that, unlike the previous administration, we will not reward Iran for chanting ``death to America,'' and we will not allow this terrorist regime to dictate our Nation's foreign policy.

Getting the Iran deal done was the only thing the previous administration cared about. Think about that, just getting the deal done. I think we all remember that sentiment around here: getting the deal done no matter how terrible was the only thing the previous administration cared about. We had to get the deal done. We had to get the deal done, as bad as it was.

It is unlike our current President who has demanded action to hold Iran accountable, guarantee our national security, and protect Israel and our allies across the world night and day. I appreciate the President's leadership on this and other matters.

The United States never should have signed onto the deal in the first place, Mr. Speaker, because it was a bad deal. It gave Iran immediate access to $150 billion, it allowed the Iranians to continue their ballistic missile research, and it contains a sunset provision that will allow the Iranians to return immediately to enriching uranium without consequence.

Now, even then-Secretary of State John Kerry said: ``Some of the $150 billion will end up in the hands of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or other entities, some of which are labeled terrorists.''

That was our Secretary of State's direct quote admitting that some of this $150 billion was going to get to terrorists.

There is no situation in which the United States should allow money to get to terrorists. Hoosiers that I represent see this quite clearly. Surely, the Americans that the rest of us represent see the same thing. But then-President Obama and Secretary Kerry allowed this to happen and were cheered on, in fact, by many in this very Chamber and many in the Senate.

This year alone, Iran has tested their ballistic missiles at least three times, and they tested a rocket space launch vehicle. Now, in their most recent test in September, they used a ballistic missile with the potential range to hit Israel, the only stable democracy in the region.

As Mr. Barr pointed out, Mr. Speaker, intercontinental ballistic missiles aren't even meant for Israel. They are meant to come here. They are meant to go to our other allies--a bad deal indeed.

The threats Iran poses are truly extreme: terrorists, a nuclear arms race, and continued threats to America and its neighbors. Unfortunately, we cannot go back in time and stop then-President Obama from signing this disastrous Iran nuclear deal--and, by the way, it is signing in the theoretical sense because Mr. Yoho is also right, Mr. Speaker, when he said that this was a set of papers that truly had no signatories. It was an executive action by then-President Obama for sure. But, all in all, no matter what the semantics, it was a bad deal.

But we can--we can--move forward by creating tough sanctions like, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Barr was pointing out and making sure Iran is held accountable. That starts tonight with the work that Lee Zeldin and other Members of Congress are doing.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York again for yielding to me, and I thank him for his leadership. Mr. Speaker, let's get it right this time. Let's make sure Iran doesn't become the threat that the previous administration has allowed it to become.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and salute a remarkable Hoosier, Mr. Larry Servies, who is being honored by the community in Montgomery County for his 67 years of service as a volunteer fireman. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for his leadership and service to the Waveland community.

Mr. Servies is a lifelong Hoosier and Waveland resident. He was a charter member of the Waveland Community Volunteer Fire Department and served 30 years as its chief. In those years of leadership, he has been credited with overseeing the purchase of a new fire truck, building a new fire station, steadfastly meeting regulation requirements, and providing quality training to future generations of volunteer firefighters. Though he has already devoted 67 years of service to the Waveland Fire Department, it is my understanding he is not going anywhere and plans to remain a member of the department as long as his good health stays with him.

Mr. Servies embodies the generous spirit and dedication to community like so many of our volunteer firefighters in Indiana and across this country. He is an army veteran, a member of the Waveland Covenant United Methodist Church, and has been active in various community service organizations and trade associations. As a long-time businessman, Mr. Servies owned and operated a furniture store, hardware and lumber business, and funeral home which provided needed products and services to the Waveland community.

I am honored to congratulate Mr. Larry Servies for his dedication to helping make Waveland a safer and better place to live. His commitment to the community serves as an example for all of us on how to be good citizens. May God continue to bless Mr. Servies and the Waveland Community Volunteer Fire Department.

Mr. Chair, I thank the chairwoman and all the members of the Budget Committee who voted for this budget, and now it is on the floor.

I encourage all Members of the House to vote in favor of this budget, and that is because our national debt continues to grow exponentially every day, every hour, every minute, and every second. We cannot afford to have any more time waiting to address the spending crisis that we are in.

This budget begins to put these irresponsible elitist policies behind us, and creates a culture around here that makes sure that our friends and neighbors who really need the help get the help without forcing our Nation's bills on our children and grandchildren, future generations, some of whom don't even exist yet.

Specifically, this budget reforms mandatory spending so it is focused on those, Mr. Chairman, in our communities who really need help. This will ensure that our country will focus limited resources on those who are most vulnerable, while encouraging a culture of self-reliance instead of government dependence.

We should be measuring, Mr. Chairman, success of these programs on how many people we get off of them, not how many people we trap in them.

Mr. Chairman, as the chart I am holding shows, because mandatory spending is over two-thirds of our total annual spending, reforming this part of our spending is the only way to really get our debt and deficits down. This budget, for the first time, starts addressing this part of the pie, $203 billion worth, and that is because of the leadership here of Republicans in the House of Representatives.

Now, this budget also protects our friends and neighbors by making sure our families are safe, that the military has the tools that they need, and that the administration has the money it needs to secure our border.

This budget also jump-starts tax reform, which will put money back in the pockets of hardworking Hoosiers and all Americans.

Mr. Chairman, in closing, as President Ronald Reagan once said: ``We don't have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven't taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much.''

That is still true today, Mr. Chairman, except that that $1 trillion is now $20 trillion and growing.

Again, I encourage all my colleagues to vote in favor of this budget.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great Hoosier, Dr. Kenneth J. Ahler

who passed away September 12, 2017. Not only was he a constituent in my district, but he was a great leader in the community.

Dr. Ahler was born in Medaryville, Indiana in 1940 and has been a resident of Rensselaer for over 47 years. He was raised in Pulaski County where he graduated as valedictorian from Medaryville High School. He attended St. Joseph's College and graduated A.B. Magna Cum Laude in biology and valedictorian of his college class. He went on to attend Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and received his M.D. in 1966. After his internship and residency at St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend, Indiana, Dr. Ahler served in the United States Air Force Medical Corps. He was Chief of Out-Patient Services at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. He returned to Indiana and married Mary Margaret O'Donnell and was a founding member of the Clinic of Family Medicine in Rensselaer.

He was elected Jasper County Coroner in 1973 and served for two terms. Throughout his professional career he served on numerous medical organizations. He was a member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Rensselaer, the American Medical Association, a distinguished member of the Indiana Medical Association, the Jasper County Medical Society and more. He served the community further as a member of the Rensselaer Rotary Club, Executive Council member and President of the Sagamore Council Boy Scouts of America, Chairman of the Jasper County Development Foundation, a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, and he was awarded a Sagamore of the Wabash in 2004.

Dr. Ahler and I had a shared love for St. Joseph's College. Although we served at different times, both of us served the college as members of the Board of Trustees. I frequently heard from alumni about his affection for the students there and how they were always first in his mind when making decisions as a Trustee. It is no surprise to me that he was a favorite of those students for his dedication to his alma mater and those affiliated with the college.

Dr. Ahler will join his beloved Mary Margaret in heaven, and leaves three children, thirteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild to carry on his legacy of service to Hoosiers. May Kenneth rest in peace, he will not be forgotten.

Mr. Chair, I mistakenly cast a ``no'' vote on rollcall vote 492. While I am counted as a ``no'' vote, I intended to vote ``yes'' on the amendment.

Vacating Demand for Recorded Vote on Amendment No. 175 Offered By Mr.

Murphy of Pennsylvania

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an important Hoosier institution, the Boy Scouts of America Troop 533 from Munster, Indiana, which is celebrating its ninetieth anniversary this year.

Boy Scout Troop 533 was organized in 1927 by Mr. Maury Kraay, an eighth grader attending Munster Public Schools. He gathered classmates, local boys, and a retired school principal to form Munster's Boy Scout Troop. Troop 533 was present on June 14, 1927 when President Calvin Coolidge dedicated Wicker Park in Highland, Indiana. The Troop was also heavily involved in the World War II effort by organizing parades and rallies for war bonds, planting and maintaining gardens for local consumption, practicing blackout drills, carrying warden messages and reports to sector headquarters, and participating in wartime recycling programs.

More recently, Troop 533 organized Cub Scout Packs in Munster elementary schools in the 1960s. In 1982, the Troop presented the colors during the dedication of the first Munster Town Council meeting in the town's newly constructed municipal complex, and began leading the Independence Park Fourth of July Parade a year later--an honor it still holds today. During the Little Calumet River flooding in 2008, Troop 533 assisted with filling sandbags to protect public and private property and later helped with yard clean-up, raking, moving dirt, and re-graveling driveways after the flood waters subsided.

Troop 533 has positively influenced countless Munster families by leading many boys to success, including producing over 100 Eagle Scouts. The scouts and their adult leaders have long served the community in which they live and love. They have lived by the Boy Scout Oath and Motto, and my hometown of Munster is better for having Troop 533 a part of the community.

Mr. Speaker, as a proud father of a young Cub Scout, I am honored to congratulate Munster Boy Scout Troop 533, on its ninetieth anniversary and look forward to their continued service to fellow Hoosiers and our nation.