Corrine Brown

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, we are deeply and profoundly saddened by the loss of our friend, Charles Towers, Jr. This man of prominence and bearing was the epitome of a gentleman and a scholar. We were moved by his passion, emboldened by his commitments, honored by his friendship and made all the better by his innate wisdom and his belief in the integrity of the human experience. We came to know him as a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, World War II veteran, Silver Star Recipient, and dedicated servant to people and causes, a humanitarian, a civic leader and businessman without comparison. As a member of the Jacksonville community for more than ninety years, Charlie Towers, presence will be missed by many. In 1949, he began his career as an attorney, with Rogers Towers & Bailey Law Firm and continued until his retirement in 2000. He served on many community boards in positions of leadership up to and including, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army, Jacksonville Tocqueville Society, long time member and devoted Deacon, Elder and Trustee of First Presbyterian Church and many other organizations. Though our hearts ache, our tears of pain are mixed with loving memories of his smile, his touch and that gleam in his eyes telling all who knew him, that he loved you and always will. And in his remembrance, we are drawn to the words of Paul, in the book of 2nd Timothy, ``For I am now ready to be offered, the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept my faith''. May the Lord bless and keep you now and forevermore and may the memory of our dear friend, Charles Daughtry Towers, Jr., remain with us for all times.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Members of the House: dead on arrival. You know, you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. I rise in strong opposition to this rule and to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. After taking a step forward with the new Choice Act program, this Republican budget takes two steps back with its cuts in veterans health care. Just another example of Republicans talking the talk but not walking the walk. But you don't have to take my word for it. You can ask the veterans service organizations who represent the interests of our veterans. Every last one of them oppose this bill. The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars said the following about the Republicans' veterans bill: ``The VA cannot fulfill its mission without proper funding, but the House, for whatever reason, now wants to ration care, eliminate infrastructure projects, and stop improving upon the programs and services that the VA was created to provide. This bill is bad for veterans, and any vote for it is unconscionable.'' We are going to vote on a Republican budget later this week that provides more money for the Department of Defense than the Pentagon requested, while cutting funds for health care and services for every veteran that is returning from battle. George Washington, the first President of the United States, said: ``The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by our Nation.''

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Sadly, this bill truly fails the test of appreciation our veterans deserve. Vote ``no'' on the rule, and vote ``no'' on the Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, and send this bad legislation back to the drawing board. Mr. Speaker, this bill will cut 70,000 veterans from health care. I can't imagine any Democrat or any Republican voting for this bill.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Madam Chair and Members of the House, I rise in strong opposition to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. After taking steps forward with the new Choice Act program, this Republican budget takes two steps back with its cuts to veterans health care, just another example of Republicans talking the talk but not walking the walk. But don't take my word for it. If you ask the veterans service organizations who represent the interests of veterans, every one of them is opposing this bill. The national commanders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars said the following about the Republican Veterans bill: The VA cannot fulfill its mission without proper funding, but the House, for whatever reason, now wants to ration care, eliminate infrastructure projects, and stop improving upon the programs and services that the VA was created to provide. This is a bad bill for veterans, and anyone that votes for it should really take a second look. And let me just say one other thing. I often say, if you are not in the room, you are on the menu, and I am sure that veterans never thought that Republicans would put them on the menu.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Will the gentleman yield?

Ms. BROWN of Florida. My question is: Will you admit that this budget will deny 70,000 veterans from receiving health care?

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of this amendment, which increases funding for all the VA programs that the Republicans cut in this year's Mil Con-VA Appropriations bill. Our troops continue the fight to keep our country safe and to ensure the blessings of liberty that we enjoy. And after their service in the military ends, many are in desperate need of quality health care to make a healthy transition to civilian life. As Members of Congress, it is our job to make sure that the men and women who fought for our freedom have access to high quality, comprehensive health care services. One of our first obligations to meeting this demand is ensuring that the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) has the resources it needs to provide top-notch care to our veterans. Just a few months ago, President Barack Obama proposed a budget for 2016 which will help to meet the needs of the VA by providing $70.2 billion in discretionary funding for VA, a 7.5 percent increase from 2015. This proposed budget would also provide $3.2 billion in estimated medical care collections and $95.3 billion for VA's mandatory benefit programs. However, I am deeply disappointed in that H.R. 2029, the House MilCon, VA and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee's proposal cuts $1.4 billion from the President's budget request. This is simply a desperate attempt to balance our nation's budget on the backs of our veterans, and it is not acceptable. The Veterans have fought for our nation, and now is the time we need to fight for them. I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand with me and the millions of our nations' veterans and support this amendment to appropriately fund the VA and provide services to our veterans that they earned from their years of service. [April 28, 2015] VFW Calls New VA Appropriations Bill `Bad for Veterans' Washington.--The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States said the U.S. House of Representatives is set to penalize disabled veterans this week if it votes to reduce the Department of Veterans Affairs budget request by more than $1.5 billion. ``The nationwide crisis in care and confidence that erupted in the VA last year was caused in many ways by a lack of adequate resourcing that only Congress is authorized to provide,'' said John W. Stroud, who leads the 1.9 million- member VFW and its Auxiliaries. ``That's why the VFW is demanding that the House amend this bill to appropriate a funding level that fully funds VA.'' In its current form, the fiscal year 2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill makes across-the-board cuts to all VA discretionary accounts, and drastically underfunds medical care, major construction and Information Technology accounts. Stroud said across-the-board cuts to discretionary spending is what Congress created back in 2011, but by another name, sequestration. Now the House wants to impose its own sequester on a federal department whose sole mission is to care for wounded, ill and injured veterans. ``The VA cannot fulfill its mission without proper funding, but the House for whatever reason now wants to ration care, eliminate infrastructure projects, and stop improving upon the programs and services that the VA was created to provide,'' said the VFW national commander. ``This bill is bad for veterans and any vote for it is unconscionable, which is why we want veterans and advocates everywhere to get involved by urging their elected officials to fully fund the

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of the Fifth Congressional District of Florida, I am pleased and honored to join the chorus of family, friends, loved ones and many well-wishers who join in praise and give thanks to Mrs. Emelia Rose Yankah. As you reflect on the numerous memories and triumphs you have been blessed to experience over the last eight plus decades your professional, community leadership, and membership with numerous civic organizations have given you the opportunity to make an Indelible impact in the lives of many. We are forever grateful to our Heavenly Father for having put Mrs. E.R. Yankah in our midst on April 16, 1930, and for filling her with grace, compassion and love. Today as your family, friends, community and congregation stand to celebrate your 85th Birthday, know that I am exceedingly honored to join this celebration and extend our humble gratitude. Countless lives have been made all the better and richer because of this kind spirit. We ask: May the Lord Bless you and Keep you. May the Lord let his face shine upon you. May the Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace. As you look forward to the years ahead, know that I am praying for your continued health and happiness.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of the Fifth Congressional District of Florida, I am pleased and honored to join the chorus of family, friends, loved ones and many well-wishers who join in praise and give thanks to Lee P. Evans, Sr., for his endearing legacy of love, kindness and generosity. Our lives have been made all the better and richer because of this kind spirit. We are forever grateful to our Heavenly Father for having put him in our midst on April 15, 1925, and for filling him with grace, compassion and love. These 90 years are marked by many milestones in his life, none more representative of the breadth and depth of his character than that of his humanity. We celebrate the richness of his life. We honor his strength of faith and his unwavering belief in the goodness of all. We come now to honor the man, for in him, and through him, the love of God flows, and warms us in his rich embrace. On this day, we say Happy Birthday Lee P. Evans, Sr., we love you, and may God continue to shower his blessings upon you and all that you love.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on yet another horrible Republican budget. It seems like ground hog day, Mr. Speaker. Just like last year, and the year before, and the year before that. . . . The Republican budget once again attacks our seniors, our students, workers, and middle class families--all for the sake of protecting tax breaks for the rich. Their budget proposal is another recipe for disaster at a time when too many Americans--especially people of color--are desperately struggling to make ends meet. As a key member of the CBC's Education Task Force, I am concerned that it would outright deplete our nation's commitment to education, since Republicans included severe cuts in elementary and secondary education, as well as in early learning programs. Just in my state of Florida alone: this budget on the House floor today would result in: (compared to President Obama's budget proposal) 1,400 fewer Florida children in Head Start; Nearly $75 million less funding in Florida for disadvantaged students, an amount that is enough to fund 160 schools, over 1,000 teacher and aide jobs, and over 100,000 students. Over $18 million less funding in Florida to provide educational opportunities for students with disabilities, representing nearly a 3 percent cut, and reduce financial aid for the more than half a million Florida students who rely on Pell Grants to afford college. Mr. Speaker, we need to send this Republican budget back to the drawing board.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, as I stand up here today, I know that if the gentleman from Minnesota, Jim Oberstar, was here, the transportation guru, he would be standing up for Amtrak. So I am going to stand up in place of Mr. Oberstar. And let's start out with, this amendment would kill Amtrak. It would shut it down. It would strand millions of passengers, disrupt commuter operations, add to our already congested roads and airports, eliminate over 20,000 jobs nationwide, and jeopardize local economies and business that depend on Amtrak's service. Amtrak provides the majority of all intercity passenger rail service in the United States, with more States and localities across America turning to passenger rail to meet the transportation needs of our citizens. Amtrak reduces congestion and improves our energy independence. One full passenger train can take up to 250 to 350 cars off the road. Passenger rail also consumes less energy than both automobiles and commercial airlines. With that, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), the chairman of the committee.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. How much time do I have remaining, Mr. Chairman?

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) to close.

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

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life of Dr. Lois Gibson. We are all saddened by the loss of this gentle and loving spirit, Lois Gibson, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, educator, Delta Sigma Theta Soror, Director of Nursing Program/FCCJ, Dean of Health Services/FCCJ, loved one, friend and so much more. A very proud and spiritual lady who gave so much to so many at every level of her being. Dr. Gibson was warmly considered the ``Proverbial Woman'' as she would touch you in her special and endearing way. She gave us a sense of pride and accomplishment, and she inspired us to go beyond our potential through learning and sharing. As a mother, she raised generations to be proud and use the past to make a better future. As an educator, she dared us to be more than ordinary, she encouraged and pushed us to be better than we even knew; and as a citizen of the world, she made us understand and appreciate our individual differences, and all that we hold in common. As a true believer, she simply made us believe by her example. Her standards were high, yet attainable; her truths were straightforward and without embellishment; her voice was strong with reason and reassurance; her directions were clear, simple and intended for keeping our feet on the right path; her love was great and powerful and shown brightly in her eyes and heart. Though our hearts ache, our tears of pain are mixed with loving memories of her smile, her touch and that gleam in her eyes telling all who knew her, that she loved you and always will. And in her remembrance, we are drawn to the words of Paul, in the book of 2nd Timothy, ``For I am now ready to be offered, the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept my faith''. May the Lord bless and keep you now and forevermore and may the memory of my dear friend, Dr. Lois Davis Gibson remain with us for all times.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, before I begin, let me thank Chairman Shuster and the ranking member for their leadership and hard work in bringing this bipartisan bill to the floor. I know that both sides had other provisions that they wanted included in the bill. I personally wanted to include much more funding for Amtrak, but in the tradition of our committee, we compromised and developed a bill that ensures that our Nation's passenger rail system has an opportunity to thrive. This legislation maintains long-distance routes, protects hardworking Amtrak employees, invests in the Northeast corridor, promotes minority opportunities in rail, improves access to the RRIF loan program, and takes another step forward in restoring passenger rail service to the Gulf States. As more and more Americans turn to rail as their preferred mode of transportation, Amtrak is building the infrastructure and organization to meet this demand. Amtrak carried a record number of 31.6 million passengers in 2013. Their ridership has been growing across the system for over a decade, with last year's ridership numbers being the largest in history. Currently, they serve more than 500 destinations in 46 States and provide the only public transportation option for millions of rural Americans. Let me repeat that. Currently, they serve more than 500 destinations in 46 States, and provide the only public transportation options for millions of rural Americans. Amtrak has increased revenue, reduced debt, implemented new passenger service, improved their infrastructure, and purchased train sets that are being built in America with 100 percent American-made parts.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Amtrak reduces congestion, improves our energy independence, and it plays a vital role in emergency preparedness and recovery, as it did in the 9/11 bombings and Hurricane Katrina. There is no perfect bill, but this is a perfect start, and I encourage all of my colleagues to support this legislation. Let's keep Amtrak moving forward. As I close, I just want to be clear: I support this bill. I ask all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on Amtrak and move it forward.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 280, as amended. This measure would provide the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with the authority to issue an order directing an employee of the VA to repay a bonus or a portion of the bonus provided to that employee. H.R. 280 provides the Secretary may do this if the Secretary determines that the repayment is appropriate. This authority would apply to an award or a bonus paid by the VA before, on, or after the date of the enactment of H.R. 280. The bill provides that any affected employee be provided with notice and the opportunity for a hearing conducted by another agency or department. I support this measure, but I want to take this opportunity to address a few concerns for the Record. I believe that the Secretary should have a limited authority, beyond administrative error, to recoup a bonus paid to the VA employee when the underlying basis of that bonus is false or the result of wrongdoing, fraud, or criminal conduct by the employee. I hope that the Secretary will use this broad grant of rulemaking authority provided in H.R. 280 to provide narrow and specific grounds for recoupment. Secondly, I am concerned about the application of this authority to bonuses provided before the date of the enactment. I know that Chairman Miller and all of us are concerned over bonuses that may have been awarded over the last number of years to VA managers who took activities, steps to cover up the delay and wait time faced by our veterans. Even though I am unhappy with their action, I would not like to see the authority provided to the Secretary under the bill to be done away with because of a constitutional challenge to this authority. Finally, I would like to point out that if this bill is enacted, the VA will be the only Department that I am aware of where the Secretary will have the power to recoup bonuses. I hope the Secretary and those that follow this Secretary will use this authority with caution. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 280, as amended. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 294, as amended. Providing high-quality health care to our Nation's veterans has always been a number one priority for this committee. Ensuring that the VA is a leader in the provision of long-term care to our veterans has also been a priority. We must work to make sure that VA provides a full range of long-term care programs, and H.R. 294, as amended, is a valuable improvement in providing veterans the choice of obtaining long-term care in a medical foster home. H.R. 294 gives VA the authority to pay for veterans' long-term care in VA-approved medical foster homes. These homes provide care in a private home at much lower cost than nursing home care. Medical foster homes are safe, and we know through experience that many veterans prefer them to the traditional nursing home. Older veterans also indicated that they prefer to receive care closer to home. The Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act would provide the opportunity for more veterans to take advantage of this home care setting. I fully support this legislation and thank the chairman for introducing it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 294, as amended. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, let me just be clear--I am from Florida--the number one responsibility of any Member of Congress is to defend the American people, and we don't do that by punting our responsibility to fund Homeland Security, period. You all need to stop playing games with the safety of the American people.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. You are the one that got on this floor and said it is a political football. If it is a political football, you are done playing.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. My time has expired.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, House of Representatives, I ask unanimous consent that the House bring up H.R. 861, the clean Department of Homeland Security funding bill that would keep the Department open and carry out its mission--and the number one mission of the United States Congress is to protect the American people.