Rick Allen

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, the President has a history of legislating through government agencies, and his flavor of the week continues to be the EPA. Using faceless EPA bureaucrats, this administration issues new rules and regulations daily, passing them out like candy. Not only are they costly and time-consuming, these rules affect the heart of America's prosperity and economic growth: our small businesses. I rise today in support of legislation that works to block the overreaching hand of this administration and protects Americans and American businesses from more burdensome regulations. The BRICK Act delays a harmful EPA rule from being implemented until all judicial review has been completed. To me, this legislation is plain common sense. Congress needs to stand up to this administration, which continues to legislate outside its jurisdiction, and increasingly, the courts confirm my claims. The legislative process begins and ends with Congress. I commend my colleagues today for passing the BRICK Act to prove we will stand up to Washington agencies that overstep their boundaries.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 106, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about legislation that my colleagues and I recently introduced that works to restore our article I powers of the Constitution. We all learned about separation of powers in our grade school civics class. As you know, this separation protects that one branch of government doesn't overrule or overstep another. It also ensures that the power of the American people is never diminished. Article I specifically grants legislative powers to Congress, as Congress was established to be the most direct voice of the people. We are the people's House. It seems the President simply chooses to ignore this. I have consistently heard from folks in the 12th District who are sick and tired of this administration overstepping its boundaries and overstaying its welcome in their lives. Americans--myself included--are frustrated with an executive branch that goes around Congress to create new rules and regulations daily. My biggest disappointment as a new Member of Congress is our lack of authority to carry out the will of the American people in this House. As an original cosponsor of H.R. 613, I strongly support this legislation and urge my colleagues to join me in restoring and respecting the most sacred document in our Nation's history--our Constitution.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, and I appreciate this time. Yes, this country does have major problems, and certainly regulation is one of them. In fact, I just spent over an hour and a half of my time talking with the administrator of the EPA about the economic impact of that agency. This is just another example of this government reaching out to require businesses to do things that, frankly, cost money and cost the economy. Every American deserves the opportunity at a good job, and we must grow this economy. That is why I am speaking today in support of H.R. 2017, the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act. This bill protects American small businesses from unnecessary costs and regulations, which, again, is the big problem we have with growing the economy. Mainly those in the restaurant and food industries are affected by this, establishing one-size-fits-all nutritional disclosure requirements. As a small business owner for over 40 years, I know just how daunting new regulations are. New regulations mean more money spent and countless hours of compliance. It is estimated that if this regulation is implemented, it could cost American businesses $1 billion to comply and 500,000 hours of paper. This is a serious issue. American small businesses do not have that kind of time, nor do they have that kind of money. During a time of slow economic growth, we should not make it harder for Americans to start and stay in business. As we have seen in just about every industry, one-size-fits-all approaches do not work. I am proud to cosponsor this bill, and encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2017. This bill is common sense. It is in the name.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Chairman, since ObamaCare was forced onto the American people 6 long years ago, Americans have seen their premiums skyrocket and access to providers dwindle. In fact, Chairman Price and I were in my district talking to a number of physicians at the emergency room. They said: Not a thing has changed, but we are still taking care of the people just like we did before this terrible bill. Ever since I came to Congress, I have consistently heard from folks in the 12th District of Georgia about the burdens of ObamaCare and that Planned Parenthood should not receive one dime of their hard-earned tax money. I have heard from a family of five whose previous healthcare policy was terminated and buying a new plan means their premiums will go from $700 to over $1,000. Those seeking treatment could not even pay their deductible. A small-business owner's premiums more than doubled and benefits have been reduced. An individual projects 16 percent of his income will go toward health care this year alone. This law is killing the economy. This law is crushing. Even worse, it is crushing Americans and American families and their ability to earn a good living. Is the sake of a political legacy worth all of this? I think not. After 6 years of failed policy, Americans deserve better. That is why I am proud to cast my vote to override the President's veto of the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act. It is time to move forward in finding a cost-effective and patient- centered plan for our citizens.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act. This important legislation prevents sanctions from being lifted from banks and individuals who are connected to terrorism or Iran's weapons development program. We do not need to be rewarding bad actors that are helping Iran become a nuclear state and continue to be the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. Recently Iran made headlines by conducting two ballistic missile tests, already violating the deal that the President forced on the American people earlier this year. Disappointingly, we have heard nothing from the administration. This is the same Iran who funnels money to Hezbollah to finance terrorist attacks and the same Iran who awards medals for the capture of U.S. soldiers. Despicable. It is abundantly clear that Iran is not to be trusted, and we must prevent rogue nations from becoming stronger. The administration needs to immediately reverse its course and hold those supporting terrorist efforts accountable. In the name of national security, I urge my colleagues in the House to join me in voting in favor of this crucial and timely piece of legislation.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 46, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleagues in the Georgia delegation, Representative Austin Scott and Representative Buddy Carter, to recognize Zippy Duvall, the American Farm Bureau Federation's new president. As a third-generation dairy farmer, who better than Zippy would know what our farmers and agriculture sector need to succeed? Zippy and his wife, Bonnie, maintain a 300-head beef cow herd, produce quality hay, and have developed a very successful poultry production company, growing out over 75,000 broilers per year. Zippy formerly served as president of the Georgia Farm Bureau, and will replace president Bob Stall, the national president, who is retiring after 16 years. Zippy has a passion for agriculture like no other. It is in his blood. Agriculture is Georgia's number one industry, and we are proud that a great Georgian has filled this national and important role. As members of the House Committee on Agriculture, we look forward to working with Zippy, and wish him all the best as he begins this new journey in his life. Congratulations to Zippy and Bonnie Duvall. I know the American Farm Bureau Federation will be served well with Zippy as president.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss the President's proposed executive actions on gun control. And you will probably hear more about this tonight, right here in this Chamber. The Second Amendment has been engrained in American life since 1791, and, since then, Congress has been committed to preserving those constitutional rights. However, the President has a different agenda. His proposed plan on gun control is yet another example of his unconstitutional legislative strategy, using executive orders and circumventing Congress to get his way. Recent events have shown us that Americans deserve the right to protect themselves, and stripping law-abiding citizens of their right to bear arms will not accomplish that. The American people do not want to see their Second Amendment rights limited, and neither do I. I will do everything in my power to fight against this administration's gun grab. For 225 years, Americans have had the right to bear arms, and I am not about to see this right be compromised for the sake of a political legacy. The Constitution is not merely a significance. It is the law of the land.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, lining the streets of downtown Statesboro, Georgia, last weekend, hundreds of people holding American flags gathered to pay respects to a fallen hero. Air Force Sergeant Chester McBride was killed in an attack in Afghanistan that also claimed the lives of five more servicemembers last month. He was laid to rest on Saturday, January 2. Chester was only 30 years old. He was a former starting cornerback for the 2001 Statesboro High School championship team. He excelled in sports in school, graduating from Savannah State University in 2007. Chester had dreams of joining the FBI when he returned home. He was posthumously awarded four medals for his actions in service by the United States Air Force. Chester chose to serve his country, and we will always remember the sacrifices he made in the name of freedom. A family has lost a son, and a community has lost a hometown hero. May God continue to bless our servicemen and -women and their families. Let us never forget what was said 2,000 years ago: that the greatest love one can offer is to offer their lives for another.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his great work on this important legislation. Today I rise in support of H.R. 3762, the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015. This legislation will dismantle ObamaCare and defund Planned Parenthood. This bill guts ObamaCare's individual and employer mandates and repeals the costly Cadillac and medical device taxes. It protects society's most innocent--the unborn--and also provides additional funding for community health centers so that women can continue to have access to the quality care they deserve. We need to expand patient choice. We need to give the American people choice. We need to make health care more affordable by offering patient-centered and cost-effective reforms. Most of all, we need to give a voice to the voiceless. This is a historic moment. After passing the House today, the bill will go straight to the President's desk and President Obama will be forced to vote on repealing ObamaCare and defunding Planned Parenthood for the first time. He will have to choose between dismantling a costly and disastrous law and preventing disregard for human life or protecting his own political legacy. Colleagues in the House, please join me and vote in favor of the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, it is hard to believe that my first year in Congress has gone by so quickly. 2016 is just around the corner, and 1 year ago the folks of the 12th District of Georgia gave me the greatest honor of my life. This year, the House took steps to strengthen our national security, repeal regulatory overreach, and restore local control. With my support, Congress passed and the President signed legislation that reformed our education system, repealed the sustainable growth rate formula, and provided critical funding for our troops. The House passed key homeland security legislation to establish a robust vetting system for refugees and reformed the Visa Waiver Program to ensure the safety of the American people. Going into 2016, it is my hope that we can scale back the presence of Washington even more by gutting ObamaCare and providing relief for the American people from more burdensome EPA regulations. When I came to Congress, national security, job growth, and the economy were my main priorities. I will head into 2016 with the same goals of creating jobs, growing this economy, and keeping the American people safe. It has been an honor to serve the folks of the 12th District of Georgia. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about an effort by Unisys, a global technology company with a presence in my district, aimed at significantly lowering the cyber risks being faced by our citizens and our government. Cyber-attacks are increasing and leaders in government and industry are seeking new approaches to protect critical data. One new approach to security, micro-segmentation, was described in detail by Unisys Vice President Tom Patterson at the 2nd Annual Cyber Education Summit held at Augusta University on October 14-15, 2015. I would like to submit a short excerpt of Mr. Patterson's remarks as it outlines the core of this important initiative. Our original approach to cybersecurity is no longer working. Recently, we have watched as companies, governments, and institutions report system breaches on a nearly weekly basis. It is clear that core assumptions and approaches that defined our old security models are failing. We rely on computing and communications systems that are critical to our financial systems, health care providers, schools, governments, and business enterprises. It's not just our computers that are at risk. Increasingly, cyber-attacks jeopardize careers, wallets, companies, infrastructure, and even lives. Adversaries boldly wield the power to access personal and corporate data online and take control of systems throughout our interconnected world. A fresh approach to security is needed. The new approach must account for our modern infrastructure--employees work from home, users need access to information on mobile devices, and supply chains are integrated and interdependent. The new approach should also accommodate changes in the adversaries. Attackers are both more skilled and more motivated. New cybersecurity systems need to assume that infiltrations will occur and must provide tools to localize and limit the damage. At the core of this new approach is micro-segmentation. If segmentation is analogous to a bank vault, micro-segmentation is akin to the many safe deposit boxes within the vault. Micro-segmentation is much more secure and inclusive, and easier to implement and manage. It embraces new technologies like clouds, and new business models like integrated supply chains. It delivers real results that are cost-effective and resource efficient. Micro-segmentation allows enterprise managers to divide physical networks quickly and easily into hundreds or thousands of logical micro networks, or microsegments. Setting up microsegments keeps the different parts of an organization logically separate, thus lowering the intrusion risk. If a breach happens, the intruder can only see one segment. Micro-segmentation works at the Internet packet level, cryptographically sealing each packet so that only packets within the approved microsegment are processed. For every packet, the data is completely encrypted, and the routing information in the headers is cryptographically sealed to ensure only authorized delivery. Users can only send and receive packets for a specified group. Micro-segmentation is implemented by software, and it therefore operates independent of any given network topology or network hardware. Organizations have a single security model that works equally well in local data centers and the public cloud. With micro-segmentation, organizations can extend security to the cloud while retaining control of data in motion and the keys that secure it. Micro-segmentation enables access to the benefits of the cloud--cost savings and network flexibility--without sacrificing security. Micro- segmentation can be quickly and easily implemented within virtual machines to defend against side-channel attacks and other risks that are specific to cloud architectures. Micro-segmentation makes it easier to integrate component suppliers by providing just the right amount of access. Micro-segmentation can also protect legacy systems, allowing organizations to use older operating systems while keeping them isolated from newer systems. By embracing a new approach to cybersecurity, we can dramatically increase the strength of our networks and confront the new threat with new tools.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, the only thing 5 years of ObamaCare has shown us has been its multiple and continuous flaws. When this legislation was signed into law, the President freely gave money away to establish State exchanges. However, they forgot one piece of the puzzle: They provided no provisions for recouping funds when the State exchanges failed. Mr. Speaker, these accounts spent billions of taxpayer dollars and provided zero solutions to protect taxpayers when States decided to stop operating the exchanges. Where is the accountability? This burden cannot be placed on the taxpayer. Today I introduced the Transparency and Accountability of Failed Exchanges Act to ensure Americans are not on the hook for the billions that were recklessly doled out to the States to establish these State exchanges. By promoting accountability and transparency, my legislation fixes the problems by providing clear steps to recover Federal funds when State exchanges fail, and it requires unused funds to be returned back to the Treasury Department to pay down the national debt. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this legislation that promotes accountability and transparency.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the enactment of the Every Student Succeeds Act. This legislation passed the House and the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law today by the President. Education is not a partisan issue. At a time of political gridlock, I am proud to see both bodies and both parties come together to improve our education system. The Every Student Succeeds Act repeals No Child Left Behind, gets rid of 49 wasteful and ineffective programs, and eliminates the Secretary of Education's coercion of States into adopting Common Core standards. Most importantly, this legislation gets Washington out of our local classrooms and it restores control back to the school districts, teachers, and parents. These are the folks who know what our children need to succeed, not bureaucrats who are thousands of miles away. As the son of two educators, I know that the future of Georgia's 12th District education system belongs in Georgia, not in Washington. As a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, I am proud to see the Every Student Succeeds Act as the law of the land.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. I thank the chairman as well as the ranking member for their hard work on this bill. Thank you for getting us to this important day. Today, I rise in support of the Every Student Succeeds Act. This bicameral legislation improves K-12 education by repealing No Child Left Behind and scales back Washington's role in education by restoring authority to those who know our students best. As we have seen, the current top-down approach is not working. The arms of Washington have extended far too long into the classroom. We need a change; American students deserve a change. And the Every Student Succeeds Act is a powerful step forward in reforming our educational system. This legislation stops Federal micromanagement of local schools, gets rid of unnecessary programs, downsizes the Federal education bureaucracy, places new restrictions on the authority of the Secretary of Education, and, most importantly, restores control back to the local level, letting States and school districts address the needs of our students. Teachers, school officials, and parents have an ear to the ground each day. They know what our schoolchildren need to succeed. This is what I hear every time I am in the district. Washington bureaucrats do not belong in the classroom. I am proud to support this legislation that gives students the tools they need for a successful future. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the conference report.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, you have heard the facts from the gentleman from Kentucky just now. What we are dealing with here on the other side is an ideology. Today I rise in support of the two resolutions that work to keep electricity affordable and reliable for Americans. S.J. Res. 23 and S.J. Res. 24 are a response to harmful regulations established by the EPA under the President's Clean Power Plan. The EPA's regulations implement the first-ever caps on carbon emissions, which will result in higher energy costs for American families, businesses, and consumers. Some experts have said that the Clean Power Plan could be the most expensive regulation ever imposed on Americans. Congress must protect Americans from legacy-driven agendas that trample the rights of our citizens, hurt our economy, and hinder job growth. These two resolutions work to provide protection for existing and future American power plants and safeguard Americans from higher energy costs. The Senate has already passed this legislation. As the people's House, it is imperative that we vote to protect Americans from these destructive regulations. I will continue to fight against the EPA's power grab. That is why I strongly support these two pieces of legislation.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak about the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act. With new technology and innovations, the energy industry is growing rapidly, and this important legislation works to maximize America's energy potential. The United States leads the world in energy production, but, sadly, due to Washington's bureaucratic red tape, projects like updating our pipelines and electric grid have fallen way behind. This legislation will modernize our energy infrastructure, protect our electricity system, strengthen energy security and diplomacy, and improve energy efficiency. Bolstering our energy security and making our infrastructure more resilient will, in turn, strengthen our national security and our economy. I support this important legislation because it is the next step in becoming energy-independent. Now is the time to dramatically increase our investment in homegrown American energy. When I came to Congress, my top priority was growing the economy and creating jobs. Mr. Chairman, this bill will do exactly that. It makes no sense to place restrictions on the abundance of energy potential in America. The United States is an energy superpower, and it is time to step up and lead.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. I thank the chairman for his good work on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation that I am proud to cosponsor, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015. It has long been a priority of this Congress to protect tribal sovereignty. These lands and their people should be free from bureaucratic intrusion, as they are sovereign nations. However, the National Labor Relations Board has once again overstepped its authority to expand its jurisdiction over tribal lands, creating a cloud of uncertainty for tribal leaders. This legislation allows tribes to operate as they should, free from the threat of intrusion from the National Labor Relations Board. Much like states' rights, this legislation puts the power back in the hands of local tribal governments so they can make decisions in their best interest. During a time of political and partisan gridlock, empowering tribes and the lives of their people is a bipartisan issue that both sides should be able to find common ground on. We need to protect tribal lands from Washington's constant overreach. I will continue to work to ensure tribal sovereignty is not infringed upon.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to commend my colleagues in the House for passing a second National Defense Authorization Act, or the NDAA. The President's decision to veto Congress' first NDAA was nothing more than a cheap, political ploy, and it marked the first time a President vetoed the NDAA for nonpolicy reasons. Today's NDAA authorizes funding to expand Fort Gordon to accommodate future growth, and it authorizes defense projects at the Savannah River Site, including the MOX program. Cybersecurity is critical to the future of international warfare, and its future home in the Army is in Augusta, Georgia, at Fort Gordon. This legislation responsibly prepares Fort Gordon to house the Army Cyber Command and to protect our Nation from cyber threats in the coming years. I was happy to work with many members of the Armed Services Committee to maintain the authorization for these important programs. Despite the President's unwarranted veto, we again fulfilled our duty to support our troops and their families, who sacrifice so much to protect our Nation.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, it was mentioned earlier about a hearing that we sat through in the Committee on Education and the Workforce on this rule, which frankly I couldn't believe. The American people want choice, not another top-down government rule where you take away their choice. That is why I rise today in support of H.R. 1090, the Retail Investor Protection Act, to block the Department of Labor's misguided fiduciary rule. All across Georgia's 12th District people depend on their trusted financial advisers to help manage their hard-earned savings and plan for future retirement. As drafted, the Department of Labor's 1,000-page rule is simply unworkable. Unaltered, this burdensome regulation would harm the very people it is designed to protect the most by substantially limiting access and increasing costs of retirement planning. The Federal Government has no right to prevent low-and middle-income families and small businesses from accessing affordable financial planning advice. I urge my colleagues to stand up to the Department of Labor by supporting H.R. 1090.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Kline, Chairman Price, and Chairman Upton for their work on this Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act, H.R. 3762. You know, when I go out in our district, people want choice. I think the top-down elements of the Affordable Care Act are creating tremendous burdens on our people who demand that we give particularly our small business community and our employees the opportunity to have the right choice. The Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act is important legislation that repeals many of the most harmful provisions in ObamaCare. ObamaCare has had a devastating effect since its passage. H.R. 3762 repeals the individual and employer mandates, the medical device tax, and the outrageous Cadillac tax which, again, does not allow for folks to choose the plan they want. This thereby unburdens our families and our businesses from the harmful effects of these mandates. I came to Congress to create jobs, grow the economy, and reduce the size and scope of the Federal Government and restore fiscal responsibility in Washington. Passing a balanced budget amendment that repeals the job-killing ObamaCare provisions is a good start. Republicans in Congress are continuing to fight to rein in Washington's spending problem and get our economy on the right track. I stand in strong support of Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act and urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important legislation to give our people the opportunity to choose how they would like to have their health care rendered.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act. Speaker Boehner led the Nation over 10 years ago when he provided flexibility to Washington, D.C., children and their parents through School Choice. I believe that School Choice is paramount to increasing educational gains for all children, but especially our Nation's students who are most in need. The SOAR Act gives scholarships to low-income students to attend a private school, providing them an opportunity to access a quality education that would otherwise be out of reach. School Choice has proven to be successful in Washington, D.C., as students using their scholarships have a 90 percent graduation rate compared to the 58 percent graduation rate for D.C. public schools in 2013 and 2014. We heard today that these statistics have been questioned, and we hope that the public schools are improving. But with this act would they actually be improving? I encourage my colleagues to stand up for School Choice by supporting the SOAR Act.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to commend my colleagues in the House and Senate for passing the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 and to call on the President to sign this vital bill into law. It is the constitutional responsibility of Congress to provide for the common defense of this Nation. Right now, our country faces growing and very serious threats. Unrest continues to escalate in the Middle East, and our troops are fighting terrorism around the world. Yet the President has threatened to veto this legislation, which provides our men and women in uniform with the resources they need to defend themselves and America's national security at home and abroad. The President's veto threat is dangerously irresponsible. We must fulfill our duties to support our troops and their families who sacrifice so much to protect our Nation. Congress has acted in a bipartisan fashion to pass this legislation, equip our military, and bolster national defense. Instead of putting our national security at risk, the President should sign this bill into law so we can keep our military strong and Americans safe.

Mr. ALLEN

Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, back home in Georgia's 12th Congressional District, I have had the opportunity to visit Southern Company's Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro many times. I am extremely excited to see the progress of construction of Vogtle reactors 3 and 4, the Nation's first new nuclear reactors in 30 years. I look forward to the clean energy and job opportunities they will provide for our State and the entire Southeast. My district is proud to be the home of every nuclear reactor in the State, including two at Plant Vogtle, two at Plant Hatch in Appling County, and two in construction at Plant Vogtle. Nuclear energy plays an important role in Georgia's energy portfolio and accounts for nearly a third of all power generated. Nuclear energy facilities across Georgia employ more than 4,000 highly skilled employees and play a vital role in our State and local economy. Nuclear energy produces 91 percent of Georgia's emission-free electricity and is the only clean air source that can produce large amounts of electricity around the clock. As the proud grandfather of Elsie Louise Allen, born at 10:45 a.m. this morning, I support clean nuclear energy and support the great work being done at Plant Vogtle and Plant Hatch on behalf of our children and grandchildren and their future energy needs.