Marsha Blackburn

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from California for his work in moving this legislation forward and also my colleague from Tennessee for joining me on this bill. It is such an honor to bring it forward and to push for the naming of the Federal courthouse in Nashville as the Fred D. Thompson Federal Building and United States Courthouse. You know, it is so interesting. Fred learned a lot about life and about the law working in the current Federal building. As that building has been outgrown and the need for a new one is in the works, it is so exciting to know that Fred's name will be emblazoned on that building. It is exciting for all of the residents of Lawrence County, Tennessee. That is where Fred grew up. That is in the Seventh Congressional District. Then, as Fred decided to go to law school and came back to Nashville, he settled in Williamson County, right there in Franklin and Brentwood in suburban Nashville. And that is where I got to know the Thompson family. I know this is a very exciting day for them, to know that this is actually taking place, that the House is completing their work and we are sending this on to the Senate for Senators Corker and Alexander to do their part of the work on this building. Many people did know Fred Thompson as an actor, and one of the things you would hear people talk about is Fred was a ``character actor.'' But that unassuming manner, the way he valued and embodied integrity, that was just Fred. That was how he lived his life, and he was a great ``character actor'' because he really played himself. Whether it was ``Marie,'' whether it was the ``Hunt for Red October,'' whether you were watching him on the small screen or the big screen, he was exactly who he appeared to be, very unassuming, very dedicated, very smart, and a wonderful attorney. Of course, his public service did start as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Nashville in the old Federal courthouse, and that did grow. The Watergate Committee, as Congressman Cohen has mentioned, was where Fred really made a mark and where he became extremely close to Senator Howard Baker, who was such a role model for so many generations of Tennesseans and Americans. How exciting it would be for Senator Baker to be here to know Fred's name was going to be on that courthouse in Nashville. This is the right move for the right person. I encourage all of my colleagues to join in passage of this legislation.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor former Tennessee Press Association president, judge, district attorney, newspaper editor, and publisher Sam Kennedy. He has become the 16th inductee into the State Open Government Hall of Fame. He will be the first Tennessean who has received this recognition. Sam Kennedy is from Maury County, Tennessee. He worked as the General Sessions Judge and District Attorney for the 14th Judicial District. He was also elected as the Maury County Executive in 1992. Sam served as a member of the Tennessee State School Board and the Law Revision Commission. The main focus of Sam Kennedy's career is journalism. Kennedy was the editor and publisher of the Columbia Daily Herald and a leader in the Tennessee Press Association. He served as the president and chaired its Government Affairs Committee for 30 years. He also served as a director for the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association. Sam Kennedy has shaped much of what journalism is today. He has been an advocate for the First Amendment and took the lead to help pass the Tennessee Sunshine law. This law passed in 1974. It requires meetings of state, city and county government bodies to be open to the public and that any such governmental body must give adequate notice before the meeting. Through his influence, he fought to keep government as transparent as possible. The Open Government Hall of Fame is a joint initiative of the National Freedom of Information Coalition (NFOIC) and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). Inductees are recognized for their ``long and steady effort to preserve and protect the free flow of information about state and local government that is vital to the public in a democracy. Sam Kennedy has made an extraordinary impact in the state of Tennessee. His life's work and legacy will continue to benefit those who serve in government and journalism. I now ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Sam Kennedy.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, this has been an interesting week for many of my constituents in Tennessee. Over 100,000 Tennesseeans were forced--100,000 Tennesseeans were forced off their healthcare plan. They did nothing wrong. It is not their fault. What has happened is another of the Affordable Care Act's--or ObamaCare, as we call it--providers has said: Guess what. This is too expensive to offer a product. And they have exited the marketplace. Now, what we are seeing is exactly what we in Tennessee told you would happen with ObamaCare. Why? Because in Tennessee, we were the test case back in the midnineties for Hillary Clinton's grand healthcare experiment. HillaryCare became TennCare in Tennessee. We knew that a product that was too expensive to afford was not going to be utilized and that eventually providers would drop out of the marketplace, eventually the networks would narrow, and eventually individuals would have a very difficult time accessing health care. So, through no fault of their own, 100,000 Tennesseeans who are in the Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville areas are going to find that they have fewer choices in health care. They didn't get to keep the doctors whom they wanted or liked or had. They didn't get to keep the healthcare plans that they wanted or liked or had. Certainly, they were not saving $2,500 per family on their health insurance. Quite the opposite has happened. What we have before us now are thousands of Tennesseeans who are going to have to scramble to find health insurance because a product isn't offered. The costs continue to go up. The choices have begun to be eliminated and narrowed. The networks--the physicians you can go to for care--are fewer in number. The hospitals that you have the ability to go into to seek that care are fewer in number. Why is that? It is because the Affordable Care Act, or ObamaCare, as we call it, is too expensive to afford, too expensive to have, too expensive to use, and--yes, indeed--too expensive for the insurance companies that are offering a product. It is time for us--yes, indeed--repeal this--to admit that it was a mistake, to admit, like Tennessee did years ago, that it is too expensive, that it does not work, and to replace it with components, items, and ideas--many ideas that we have had in this Chamber for years, Mr. Speaker--such as portability with the across-State-line purchase of health insurance, liability reforms, and making certain that individuals can choose an insurance product and then be able to go see physicians where they live. Affordability and access--that is what we need in the marketplace. We continue to push those ideas forward. To our Tennessee neighbors who are finding themselves without a health insurance option, we understand the plight that exists; and we, again, say it is time to repeal and replace ObamaCare.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his work on this issue. I think we have to go back in history a little bit on this. ObamaCare was passed into law, signed into law, in 2010. A part of that law, by the way, we had to wait until it passed so we could read it and find out what all was in it established this CO-OP program. The way the law was written, it allowed CMS to go in and put in place the terms of the loans for the CO-OP program. Now, our colleague from Washington said it was the fault of Congress. I want to remind you that we did not do the loan terms that have been so onerous. That was done through the rulemaking process by CMS. The way they set this up put the CO-OPs at a disadvantage from the start. As a result of this, we are seeing these plan failures. This is a mandate that is crumbling under its own weight, the weight of the mandate, coupled with the way CMS has handled the terms of these loans. Now, the Energy and Commerce Committee, where I serve as vice chair, had released a report earlier this month looking at the failures of these CO-OPs and the investigation that we have had on this. The report reviewed CMS' mismanagement of this program. Closures of these CO-OPs have left consumers scrambling for health insurance. It gives them fewer options. It provides them with less affordable choices. So the Affordable Care Act becomes unaffordable for millions of Americans. Eight million of that 20 million had insurance from their employer. They were perfectly happy. All of a sudden they are thrown into a program, and now the insured goes out of business. Fewer choices. Even in my State of Tennessee, our insurance commissioner, Julie McPeak, testified before the Energy and Commerce Committee about the burdens of CO-OPs and the failures that it has brought about on our State regulators and our communities. When Tennessee's CO-OP, the Community Health Alliance Mutual Insurance Company, failed approximately 27,000 Tennesseans, they were all forced to find new plans. Only 6 of the original 23 CO-OPs remain. I will tell my colleagues that this is what you call a false hope. It did not work. It made the situation worse.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. A recent HHS-OIG report found that the remaining CO- OPs are becoming financially insolvent. They are looking as if they, too, are going to go the way of the others that have failed. Not only does the failure of CO-OPs waste tax dollars, it also leaves individuals in the lurch. I am pleased that this legislation is coming before us. It implements our committee's recommendation by ensuring that individuals who make a good faith effort to comply with the individual mandate are not further punished as a result of a CO-OP's failure.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge and honor the life of Franklin Firefighter, Dimitris ``JD'' Fotopoulos, who passed away while serving as a missionary in Honduras. Dimitris was a Michigan native who transferred to Tennessee. He began working with the Franklin Fire Department in 2007. During his time with the department, Fotopoulos was awarded a Unit Citation for Valorous Conduct in 2010 after the heroic rescue of a woman from a home engulfed in flames. He also earned three Phoenix Awards for saving the lives of three individuals in cardiac arrest. Dimitris will forever be remembered as a hero to those he served and worked with. We are thankful to Dimitris ``JD'' Fotopoulos for his service to the City of Franklin and the Seventh District of Tennessee. His life and legacy will serve as testament to many and will bring inspiration to all who decide to become public servants

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge Linda Lynch for 29 years of service as the Brentwood City Community Relations Director. Her hard work and dedication to excellence has helped our city grow exponentially. Through her position she was able to bring members of Brentwood, Tennessee, around special causes and efforts. Linda Lynch was born in Leipers Fork, Tennessee, and was raised in Franklin, Tennessee. She taught in Memphis, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. She also supported her husband who ran a transportation company before she took on her role in Brentwood. As a liaison, she was instrumental in building bridges between residents and government. This was accomplished by how she planned events for the city. By doing so, government officials could hear the needs and concerns of the people and the community was heard by their leaders. Linda also played a major role in the education of historical sites and advocated for preservation of historic places. Outside of her regular duties she took the initiative and founded the Brentwood Historic Commission. Linda was also involved with the Brentwood Tree Board, the Adopt a Mile Program, and the Brentwood Library. She is also a lifetime member of the Williamson County Heritage Foundation. Linda Lynch has left the city of Brentwood, Tennessee, a better place than when she first started in her role. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring her service and commitment to the city of Brentwood, Tennessee.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I do rise today to support the Better On-line Ticket Sales Act, H.R. 5104, or as you have heard it called today, the BOTS Act. It is bipartisan legislation. Mr. Tonko of New York has done a tremendous job working on this with me. Together, we have worked with the Senators to make certain that we have legislation that can be signed into law that will address a problem that so many of our constituents face. Now, we know it is not going to be something that does everything everyone would want, but we do know this is the first step in working with the FTC making certain that we address these bots. The problem is this: we have some individuals or groups that deploy hacking software--it is called bots. Short for robots, of course--that launch thousands of simultaneous requests for tickets on a ticket site. Now, I am certain many of us have tried to buy a ticket as soon as they go on sale, just as Ms. Schakowsky was talking about the performance of Hamilton. We see this a lot with concerts that are coming into Nashville. You go on. You log on. You want to buy that ticket for that sporting event or for that concert, and the bots overwhelm the site and cherry-pick the very best tickets. Then what do you find? You don't have the ability to purchase a ticket. This has become so frustrating to consumers because they do plan to go on and they do plan to buy that ticket. The site just slows to a crawl, and then when they get through, the tickets are sold out. This is something that has been very frustrating not only to consumers, but to artists, to entertainers, to fans of live entertainment, and to sports teams. The artists and the teams often price tickets well below the highest possible price they might be able to get from the fans for any particular event. They do this as a way to invest in that long-term relationship with their fans. The BOTS Act would make it an unfair and deceptive practice under the FTC Act to use a bot to violate both the terms and conditions of the ticketing site. Also, it creates a mechanism where the State Attorneys General can bring a cause of action against the botsters. The BOTS Act will stop people from gaming the ticketing system, and it will increase access to events for fans of live entertainment.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, fifteen years ago yesterday, we all remember where we were when we first heard a plane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. We also remember that solemn moment when we saw the second plane hit. We knew instantly that our country would never be the same. As we were just beginning to understand the gravity of what had happened, there were men and women who already were in action to prevent further loss of life. Air traffic controllers took the unprecedented action of clearing our nation's airspace of over 4,452 aircraft. Within hours, the FBI had determined who was responsible for perpetrating the terrible acts. Passengers on Flight 93 forced their own plane into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania to avoid it being used as a weapon against the White House or the Capitol building. The most powerful images we saw that day were the first responders. As people were running from the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon toward safety, men and women in uniform were heading in the opposite direction to save as many people as possible from burning and collapsing buildings. At that moment, their bravery, instinct and training took over. Those professionals knew that they may be giving their lives to save others. It is fitting that this tribute to the first responders of Brentwood is dedicated on this most somber of days. Brentwood Fire and Police first responders are no different than the men and women we witnessed sacrificing themselves on 9/11. Their bravery, training and character is no different. They help keep us safe. Through doing so, they protect our freedom. Thank you to the City of Brentwood, Leadership Brentwood and the businesses who have made this Honor Garden possible. It will serve as a constant reminder of the service and sacrifice of a few who protect so many.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a wonderful event that 94 FM the Fish hosted called Beauty Behind Bars. This event took place on July 30th of this year at the Vanderbilt Student Life Center. It was an excellent opportunity for women in the community to be transformed, inspired, and empowered. Beauty Behind Bars is an organization designed to help women and girls break away from mental incarceration and self-imprisonment of low self-esteem, doubt, depression, suicide, and dream killing. They also teach the importance of forgiveness, accountability, and the significance of loving self from the inside out. They educate the community by providing seminars and conferences. I commend Beauty Behind Bars and 94 FM the Fish for their willingness to host a free training workshop that will continue to influence and change women for the rest of their lives. They have set an excellent example of what it means to ``set the captives free.'' My hope is that they will continue to bring freedom to women of all ages and for generations to come.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, it is so exciting to have time to be in our district every day and work, listening to our constituents and hearing what is on their mind. I heard a lot about the lack of broadband expansion in rural America and, likewise, I heard a lot about and many questions arose about what in the world is it that the administration is doing trying to give away the Internet. People couldn't believe that. Of course, we have heard the administration's plan to cede control of this, for ICANN to move away from the Commerce Department, and they have assured us: ``Trust us.'' They have said: ``It is all going to be fine.'' But now we know they are contemplating and involving U.N. control contrary to what had been reported and planned and promised. The Wall Street Journal, in a recent column, August 28, ``An Internet Giveaway to the U.N.,'' said this: ``Authoritarian regimes have already proposed Icann become part of the U.N. to make it easier for them to censor the internet globally.'' The column also notes: ``an independent review within Icann called the organization `simply not credible' '' in its handling of domain name applications. Think about this: We cannot allow control for Russia or China over U.S. free speech.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, for generations, Mt. Sharon Presbyterian Church has served as a focal point for community life near Adamsville. Just like its congregation, it has grown over the years to better serve its membership. One hundred and fifty years ago, on September 15, 1866, Reverend Robert Young and approximately 70 people came together to organize the Mt. Sharon Society, Gilchrist Community of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Originally a log structure, the Church was located southwest of Snake Creek on land of Cornelius Gilchrist. Brother T. F. Wilson, Brother Cornelius Gilchrist and Brother John L. Groves were chosen as ruling elders. In the 1890's the log structure was replaced by one made of lumber that included a bell tower and in 1957, a new brick structure was completed. The following year, the Church added a porch, and in 1959, a steeple. At a dedication service in September 1959, the morning bulletin read, ``Let us remember that the job was completed only through time, talents and love of over 300 people and gifts from Presbyterian churches from Tennessee, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Lansing Michigan and far beyond.'' Forty years later, in 1989, the Church added additional dining space which still exists today and an outdoor basketball court was completed. Three years later, the Church purchased a manse with 4.5 acres. The Church celebrates its anniversary on the third Sunday in September.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Huelskamp), who is a true fighter on the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers). She is our Conference chair and also a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record statements from the Protection Act Forum in addition to the statements previously included by Mr. Pitts. Energy and Commerce Conscience Protection Act Forum Testimonies Part I, July 8th Forum on Capitol Hill Good morning. My name is Dr. Marie-Alberte Boursiquot and I am the president-elect of the Catholic Medical Association. I am delighted and honored to be invited to address you ladies and gentlemen today on the Conscience Protection Act (CPA). It's providential that we are gathered today to discuss a threat to our religious liberties following the July 4th holiday. I need not remind any of you that our First Amendment states: ``Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...'' I am here today to help you appreciate the importance of upholding conscience rights and religious liberty in all aspects of life and most especially in the delivery of health care. As an organization, the CMA was accepted as a party to the case of the ACLU vs. Trinity Health Care where the ACLU would force hospitals to perform abortions and threaten the rights of medical professionals and the choices of pro-life patients. This case would furthermore violate federal conscience laws. The Conscience Protection Act of 2016 is necessary in that it will protect health care professionals from being forced to pay for or participate in abortions and allow victims of discrimination a ``right of action'' to defend their rights in court. We cannot allow our government to force hospitals, physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals to stop offering much needed health care because they cannot in good conscience participate in destroying developing life. This intrusion of the government prohibits the free exercise of our faith as Catholics. Catholic Medical students are particularly vulnerable in that they may be forced to participate in abortions and learn how to perform them. This would not only violate their conscience, as Catholics, but force them to violate the Hippocratic Oath. This oath, as you know, was developed in the 5th-3rd century, B.C and requires a new physician to swear to uphold specific ethical standards in the practice of medicine. A modernized version of the original Greek version is often used today. But originally one swore to the following: Respect the authority of our teachers To treat the sick according to one's ability and judgment but never with a view to injure and wrongdoing Never to administer poison to anyone who'd ask for it nor to suggest such a course Not to give to a woman a pessary to cause abortion To keep pure and holy both our lives and our art Help the sick and abstain from all intentional wrong doing and harm Respect the confidentiality of our discussion with our patients All human life is a gift from God. Pregnancy is not an ailment but a sign of health. Abortion terminates that gift of life and the woman ultimately suffers physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Physicians and Catholic hospitals should not be coerced to violate their consciences in performing this harmful act nor allow it to be performed in a Catholic setting. Respectfully, Marie-Alberte Boursiquot, M.D., F.A.C.P., President-elect, Catholic Medical Association.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I pose a simple question: When did this institution and the political discourse lose respect for freedom of conscience protections in health care? It is not fair. It is not fair that individuals today may have legal recourse to protect their civil rights but not their constitutionally safeguarded conscience rights. This straightforward bill reaffirms the Weldon amendment protections, gives individuals and entities a private right of action, and makes sure that nothing prevents providers from voluntarily electing to take part in an abortion. It is written to protect a person like Fe Vinoya, who is one of the nurses from New Jersey. During a Conscience Forum just last week, Fe said: Participating in the destruction of human life is not only a violation of my religious convictions, it conflicts with my calling as a medical professional to protect life, not to end life. We owe this to Fe and anyone else who objects to being forced to provide or to pay for abortion services. So I simply urge you, I implore Members to vote ``no'' on the motion to recommit and to vote ``yes'' on the Conscience Protection Act of 2016. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan), the Speaker of the House. (Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy), the majority leader of the House.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 822, I call up the bill (S. 304) to improve motor vehicle safety by encouraging the sharing of certain information, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the question of adopting a motion to recommit on S. 304 may be subject to postponement as though under clause 8 of rule XX.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on S. 304.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, Congress has a long history of providing strong, bipartisan conscience and freedom protections consistent with our founding principles and the Constitution. It is about fairness. It is a cornerstone of our Constitution, which is built upon individual rights and liberties. Look no further than the Clinton administration to find evidence of unity when it comes to conscience exemptions. President Clinton built conscience protections into managed care plans for Medicaid and Medicare regarding referrals. In 1977, as part of the Balanced Budget Act, almost identical conscience protections were applied to Medicare Choice Plans. The conference report that included these exemptions was widely supported by Democratic lawmakers like now-Vice President Biden, now-Secretary of State Kerry, and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, to name a few. In 1998 and again in 1999, the Clinton administration took the initiative to add two separate conscience protections to the Federal employees health benefit program. Many of these protections have been renewed annually by Presidents Clinton and Bush and, yes, by President Obama. One of these protections is the Weldon amendment, a longstanding conscience safeguard in appropriations law. This protection provides that States and localities receiving Federal funds may not discriminate against a healthcare entity on the basis that they do not ``provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions.'' Troublingly, those encountering discrimination cannot even look to the Office for Civil Rights for help. The Office for Civil Rights within HHS recently reinterpreted existing law to find a California mandate directing all health insurers to remove coverage exclusions and limitations for elective abortions to be consistent with the Weldon amendment. Americans should not have to rely on the whim of attorneys at HHS to be protected from discrimination. This is why we are here today--to discuss fairness, to protect Americans' rights. Here is what the Conscience Protection Act does: First, the bill reaffirms the protections that are found in the Weldon amendment; Second, the bill gives discriminated individuals and entities their day in court through a private right of action; and Third, the bill clarifies that nothing--nothing--in the legislation prevents providers from voluntarily electing to participate in abortion or makes changes to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. The simple intent of this bill is to stop the government from unfairly coercing individuals and entities to provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions. Consider the examples of churches in California--like Skyline Church in La Mesa and Faith Baptist Church in Santa Barbara--that are currently being forced by the State to cover all legal abortion in their healthcare plans. Or the case of a New York nurse, Cathy DeCarlo, who was forced to take part in a dismemberment of 22-week- old unborn child. Cathy literally had to count the pieces of the unborn child, against her objection to abortion. Her lawsuit was dismissed because the conscience law lacks a private right of action. Madam Speaker, this is why we need the Conscience Protection Act: for Foothill Church in Glendora; for Alpine Christian Fellowship in El Cajon; for the 12 New Jersey nurses who stood up to their employer for requiring them to train for and participate in abortion; and for Cathy DeCarlo, who deserves her day in court. This is why we need this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Hartzler). I thank the gentlewoman for her leadership on life issues in this body.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of a point of order.