Marsha Blackburn

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. At this time, I yield 1 minute to another of our freshmen, Mr. Holding of North Carolina.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. At this time, I yield 1 minute to one of our freshmen, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins).

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 1 minute to our chairman emeritus of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton). (Mr. BARTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), a member of the committee.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I yield the gentleman an additional 15 seconds.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. At this time, I yield 1 minute to a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the gentleman from Georgia, Dr. Gingrey.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 1 minute to the chairman of the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee at Energy and Commerce, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy).

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 15 seconds to respond. We trust our constituents and the American people. We don't need government control of this. Certainly we don't need the IRS policing our private health care information. There is nothing affordable about the Affordable Care Act, and that is why we are concerned. At this point, I want to yield 1 minute to the chairman of our conference, Mrs. McMorris Rodgers, from Washington.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield such time as he may consume to the chairman of the Health Care Subcommittee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts).

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. You know, it is just absolutely amazing that we are once again here on the floor to repeal ObamaCare, but it is a necessary step that we find that we have to do. It is so interesting being out in my district. Whether I am talking to State-elected officials or county-elected officials or talking to those who are employers in our district--those who are job creators-- repeatedly we hear from them: this is a bill that turned into a law that is too expensive to afford. One of the reasons--and I would point this out--this is a copy of the law as published. What it has turned into is 13,000 pages of regulation. Indeed, I wanted to bring that tower of red tape here to the floor today. It is seven feet tall and growing. It was too big to be allowed on the House floor. It is amazing that much regulation that has come from this 2,700-page bill. Now we find out from The Washington Post and The New York Times that Secretary Sebelius had conversations with some companies and organizations asking them to help fund getting this started. Why is this happening? Three years ago, we were told it would be an $800 billion bill. And guess what? When we went to the Budget Committee this year, $2.6 trillion is the estimated cost of this bill. So insurance--more expensive. It was to save households $2,500 a year, but instead they're already paying $3,000 more. And the survey that Chairman Murphy ran for us in the Energy and Commerce Committee shows that the cost will go anywhere up to about 400 percent, depending on who you are, what group you're in. That's what you're going to see your insurance cost go up to. We hear from physicians. Harder to get in to see a physician? Yes, it is. Our goal should be about how do we preserve access to affordable health care for all Americans. Instead, what my friends across the aisle have done is to focus on how do you centralize health care, run up the cost, and decrease access. That is the reason that we are here on the floor today. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 679, I call up the bill (H.R. 436) to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. 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 H.R. 45.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for his work on this effort. And I also want to say thank to you Mrs. Roby from Alabama for the outstanding job that she has done on the Working Families Flexibility Act. I have loved talking with my constituents about this issue. And it is absolutely amazing, when you say, tell me what you think about this. Would you like to have the option, the ability to control what your compensation method is going to be? And so many of my constituents, whether they're rearing families, whether they have teenagers that they're working with, whether they're caring for elderly relatives, say, this is a great idea. And it is so worthy of discussion, and it is about time for Congress to do something that's just plain old good common sense. Mr. Speaker, the reason for this is, take a look at what is happening now. In 1975, when I was newly married and beginning to start a family, there were only 37 percent of all the families where both parents were working outside of the home. Look at what is happening now that my children are having their careers, and my daughter has two children. You've got just under 60 percent where both parents are working outside of the home. On top of this, you have those of us who are caring for elderly relatives. And as the majority leader just said, any time you run a survey and ask women what they want, they would love to have more time, and they also want more control over how they're able to manage their lives and the lives of their families. And this is a piece of legislation that does that. I agree with what some of my colleagues have said. This Obama economy has really forced more families than ever to work more than one job. It has been very difficult. And having more options makes it easier for those families to manage. I thank the leadership for the work on the bill.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, there are citizens making up this great country who never cease in offering themselves to their communities while improving the quality of our lives. I rise today to celebrate the time, talents, and treasures of Ted Welch as he retires from decades of active philanthropy. Ted Welch grew up in a one-room schoolhouse in Decatur County, Tennessee. He joined Southwestern Publishing Company as a student salesman and manager in 1953. During his tenure there, he served as Executive Vice President, a member of the Board of Directors, and a member of the Executive Committee. Working for Southwestern, selling books door-to-door, Ted exemplified the true value of hard work. Thankfully, that service did not stop with his tenure at Southwestern, nor after building a real estate empire. Ted served as a Deacon and Elder at Vice Street Christian Church, former board member of Lexington Theological Seminary, and as a part of the foundation of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Ted Welch has spent his life's work following his passions. As he worked to shape the direction of the country, he labored to shape the direction of the next generation of community leaders. Whether by selling Bibles or actively participating in democracy, it is no simple statement that more have encountered truth and freedom due to Ted Welch's work. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating all Ted Welch has offered to the great state of Tennessee and our beloved country. We join with his wife, his children, and his grandchildren in offering our deepest gratitude for his life's work.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, the mark of a great community is found in its leadership. Hard working, always professional, and dedicated to long-term vision are the key qualities of a strong local leader. The mark of a great country is found in those willing to serve her cause. I rise today to honor a leader of a great community and country, Dr. Dewey Browder. From mentoring students at Austin Peay State University to highlighting veterans in Montgomery County, Dr. Browder's hard work helped make Clarksville a nobler place to call home. His awards are numerous and far too few for his contributions. Serving as a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Mayor's Veterans Service Organization, the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, the Clarksville-Montgomery County Military Affairs Committee, and the Wings of Liberty Museum, Dr. Browder's time, talents, and treasures are unmatched. Shaping the next generation of students, of veterans, and of citizens is a sacred act. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Dewey Browder. Along with his family, friends, and coworkers, I offer my gratitude for his life's work.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin, our chairman, for the outstanding work that he has done, and to all of my colleagues on the House Budget Committee for how diligent we've been in bringing forward a budget that is responsible and is a credit to our citizens and to the American people. I think it really is quite amazing when you listen to some of this rhetoric. Mr. Chairman, it is so evident from listening to this debate that we have friends across the aisle who just really believe that government can never get enough of the taxpayers' money. I don't think they can tell you how much is enough, because they're always going to find ways and reasons and new programs and new ventures or investments, as they like to call them, to spend that money on. Every time we talk about accountability and responsibility of the House to manage the people's money in an accountable and responsible way, they start to talk like that money is theirs, and that we're talking about taking that money away from them. But it's the people's money. And what the American people have said is they want to see this government on a spending plan that is going to be accountable and is going to be responsible. And they want a budget that is going to balance and they want us to get this deficit spending and our national debt under control. Now, the document that we're bringing forward is something that is going to do that. And it's going to do it in the appropriate way because we meet our obligations and we honor the commitments and the promises that have been made. I heard someone talk about shredding the social safety net. Well, Mr. Chairman, quite frankly, when our friends across the aisle brought forward ObamaCare, they're the ones that took a whack into that social safety net by making those spending cuts in Medicare and pushing that money over to stand up a new program. We don't stand for that because what we will do is preserve Medicare, as the chairman has said, for today's seniors and give younger workers an option that is going to honor the work that they are doing now in paying into that system. I think it's important that we look at how this is going to affect our children and our grandchildren. I have two grandsons, Jack and Chase. They're here this week. I'm delighted they're here in budget week because the decisions that we make this week are going to be decisions that they're going to bear the burden of. Money we spend is money they will pay back. It's imperative that we be responsible to our children, to our grandchildren, to future generations and meet the obligations we have today.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the gentleman for the time. Mr. Speaker, talking about burning issues, I don't know of anything that is more pressing than dealing with this Nation's debt. You can go back through the pages and look at what Admiral Mullen had to say on July 6, 2010: The greatest threat to our Nation's security is our Nation's debt. That is the reason we are here. We are not here for ourselves. We are here for our children and our grandchildren, and making certain that the America that they have, the future that they have, hope and opportunity that they have, is going to be greater than anything that we ever possibly could have imagined for ourselves. Isn't that what preserving freedom for prosperity is all about? It is about making certain that we hand over freedom in good shape for another generation. I will tell you, if you are looking at the debt clock, it's a pretty telling story--over $16.5 trillion. And yesterday, the per citizen share of that debt was $52,818. The per taxpayer share was $147,238. I know there are some in this body who would like to turn the debt clocks off in the hearing rooms. They just want to ignore it, and supposedly it would go away and we wouldn't have to talk about it. We could just pretend that we do not have a spending problem in Washington, D.C. Mr. Speaker, that is not reality. That is being completely divorced from reality. In order to defeat a problem, you have to admit that there is a problem. There is a problem with spending in Washington. There is a problem with our Nation's debt. I support the good work that has been done by my friend from Indiana and encourage all to vote for H.R. 668.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I think that it is noteworthy that we also put some of the attention on stalking, the need to address this; that we look at the need for additional education so that some day we can say, yes, indeed, local law enforcement is fully equipped to handle the issue because the problem has been arrested. All too sadly, Madam Speaker, the problem has not been dealt with.

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from Washington for the leadership that she has brought to this issue, and I also stand to thank Leader Cantor and the leadership that he has placed on this. It's an incredible thing when you think about we still need the Violence Against Women Act. And I think for so many of us who have participated in giving birth to sexual assault centers and domestic abuse centers and child advocacy centers, we realize that for far too long domestic abuse was something that nobody ever wanted to talk about; it should be swept under the rug; it should be hidden behind the four walls of a house. It was not something that was addressed as a crime, but we all knew it was a crime, and we knew it needed to be addressed. And we know that this act and the grants that have been provided to our State and local law enforcement agencies have allowed so many--so many--people the safe harbor that was needed for their opportunity. Now I stand here today to support our Republican alternative and the amendment that we have placed on this bill making certain that, in a fiscally responsible, targeted, and focused way, those who need access to the help, the assistance, and the funds are going to be able to receive the help, the assistance, the funds, the focus and the attention that they are going to need.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, the mark of a great community is found in its leadership. Hard working, always professional, and dedicated to long-term vision are the key qualities of a strong local leader. For the past 23 years, Brentwood, Tennessee has had the great honor of Mike Walker's leadership as City Manager. Mike Walker has a strong history in leading and leading well. Serving as the administrative head of Brentwood's municipal government, Mike has been responsible for full service government including a $60 million annual budget and 250 employees. In addition to his outstanding service to the City of Brentwood, Mike's legacy of excellence reaches to Oak Ridge, Knoxville, and the International City/County Management Association. It takes a great number of talented people to keep a city running. Keeping such an excellent city like Brentwood on the right track requires more than talent; it requires excellence, dedication, and leadership. The City of Brentwood has been lucky to have Mike Walker leading the way. I ask my colleagues to join with me, Linda, Lauren, Evan, and Travis, in celebrating Mike's outstanding legacy of service and commitment.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great leader, a great citizen, and a great man. Ed Moody, ``Mr. Franklin,'' was a dear friend to many and a guiding force to a wonderful community. All those who knew him will miss him. World War II veteran, owner of Moody Tires, and Elder Emeritus of The People's Church, Ed Moody dedicated his life to the service of others. He was a member of the Franklin Noon Rotary Club, trustee for the Williamson County Hospital, and served on the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce. From the YMCA to the Franklin Rodeo, there are not many areas of life in Williamson County that have not been touched by Ed Moody's admirable dedication. There are those souls, Mr. Speaker, whose lights guide the way even after they are dimmed. Ed Moody's legacy will be one of great influence and will shape the future of Williamson County for generations to come. I ask my colleagues to join with me in celebrating the life and service of ``Mr. Franklin'' as we offer our sympathies to Eileen and their family.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for the excellent work that he continues to do, year in and year out, on this issue. I appreciate his leadership. We do stand today and mark the 40th anniversary of the tragic Roe v. Wade decision, and it really said that not all life is created equal. Since the Supreme Court gave our government's seal of approval, if you will, for on-demand abortion, there have been over 55 million lives lost. Mr. Speaker, I'm not certain that we think about the gravity or the enormity of the issue until we look at it in that collective sense, 55 million lives that have been lost. As a woman, I personally believe that America is better than choosing abortion, and I agree, and I believe that women deserve better. The gentleman from New Jersey referenced the press conference that victims held today, and I was so touched by a statement from one of those that participated in this press conference. Her name is Irene Beltran. Ms. Beltran tells the story of what she endured when she was living in southern California and when she chose the path of abortion, and it is a very tender and heart-wrenching story. I want to quote from one paragraph in her story and this statement that she gave. And I'm quoting Ms. Beltran now: I've grief-stricken countless people with the choice that I've made. I've robbed my seven children of a sister that they could have played with, fed, and helped nurture. I've robbed three sets of grandparents of a granddaughter. I've robbed future generations from ever existing. I've suffered from depression, anxiety, and eating disorder, just to name a few. I felt damaged, humiliated and hopeless. Women deserve better than abortion. I stand before you today because my daughter forgives me, my family forgives me, the Lord forgives me, and I forgive myself. I dedicated the rest of my existence to fight this life-and-death war. This is why I am silent no more. That is the statement from Ms. Beltran as told at the press conference today. And we all know in our hearts what she says is just so true, that life is a natural right. It's a gift from God, whose love extends beyond our comprehension, and He calls on us to protect the smallest and the weakest among us. We're moving forward with pro-life legislation in the States, and the gentleman from New Jersey referenced the movement that he has worked in for 40 years. We have 24 State legislatures that passed a record 92 measures that restricted abortion in 2011. Nine States have recently banned most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. On the national level, we're working to end taxpayer funding for abortion. I have legislation that addresses that Title X funding. And we are continuing to work to make certain that we focus on helping the families that have felt the impact of abortion in their life. We're focusing on celebrating life and committing to making certain that we stand and work toward a pro-life America.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Big abortion businesses are getting rich, and they don't deserve or need our Federal tax dollars. That's why, on this first day of Congress, I introduced the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act. It's H.R. 61. Planned Parenthood's 2011-2012 annual report showed they received a record $542 million in taxpayer funding while simultaneously performing a record number of abortions--actually, one every 94 seconds. So, in 94 seconds, they perform that abortion, and they take in over $1,600 in Federal taxpayer money. Their funding has increased by 11 percent in the last 2 years even though former employees of Planned Parenthood say the organization promotes sex-selection abortions, facilitates human trafficking, engages in coercive behavior, and fails to maintain financial records in accordance with the law. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 61 so we can get ahold of these big abortion businesses, hold them accountable, clean up the title X grant program and end taxpayer funding of abortion.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, music is in the very fiber of our being, and we are proud to continually showcase the sounds that call Tennessee ``home.'' I rise today to honor one of Tennessee's great sounds as he is inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame. Buck Rambo started a Gospel singing group in 1960 and quickly set the world ablaze with great harmonies. It would become The Singing Rambos and the group would release over 70 projects, making them a household name in America, Central America, the Bahamas, and Europe. Adding to their bright career, Buck led the group to television where they were central to the early beginnings of many faith-based stations. The Singing Rambos entertained troops at Strategic Air Command Bases, in Vietnam, and in several European military posts. Having hung up his travel hat, Buck now leads a life of service to his faith, his family, and his community. The very rhythm of our culture, Gospel music lifts and carries us through our darkest moments to our brightest days. The sounds of The Singing Rambos are deeper than the notes on a page: they are hummed into our souls. I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating Buck Rambo on his induction to the Southern Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame.

Mrs. BLACKBURN

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, musical genius is commonplace in Middle Tennessee. We see it on the Billboard Top 40, and we ear it in our local gathering spots. We are a community of notable note-makers, and yet there are those who stand a bit taller among the rest of our blessings. I rise today to honor Amy Grant as she receives the Cecil Scaife Visionary Award and is recognized for her contribution to Tennessee's legendary sound. Amy Grant's music is more than a simple part of our lives. From her light-hearted hits to the notes and scores that wove their way from our darkest moments, Grant's pen continually casts light into our collective soul. Bluegrass, gospel, Christian, and pop all claim a bit of Grant's heritage as she continues to weave all four together into one signature blend. Her music is a part of our Christmas, our Easter, and our seasons in between. I ask my colleagues to join with me and celebrate Amy Grant not simply for her legendary sound and steadfast commitment to the music industry, but for her graciousness in paving the way for other singers, songwriters, and bare-footed musicians to come along with her. It is fitting, then, that she be awarded the Cecil Scaife Visionary Award, and I appreciate her faithfulness to Nashville. I also appreciate the hard work and support of those who established and continue the Cecil Scaife Business Scholarship. Your devotion to those who pioneer the way for future music legends helps to strengthen our community and the sounds of our home.