Brian Babin

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a fine man and a friend, Benjamin Blythewood III. Ben passed away on Monday, June 1, 2015, at the age of 48. Ben led an exemplary life that was dedicated to serving his community. As mayor of Woodville for six and a half years, a reliable member of our local Lion's Club, as well as that of countless other community organizations, Ben lived an inspiring life that was focused on helping and caring for others. Ben was also a proud Christian and a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Woodville. My prayers and condolences go out to Ben's loving wife, Amy, his son Benjamin and his daughter Bryanna. Ben will be sorely missed in our community, but his passion and legacy will certainly live on.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Thank you for your consideration, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chairman, I am seeking an increase of funding for the Commercial Crew Program in our Science budget. For the past several years, the United States taxpayers have been paying over $70 million a person to launch our astronauts to the International Space Station on Russian vehicles from Russian soil. We must end this reliance on the Russians as quickly as possible. We must set priorities within the NASA budget to make sure that the American astronauts are launched from American soil on American vehicles sooner rather than later. When it comes to spending within our NASA budget, it is important that we set a precedent of what we think is the most important thing to do. NASA is the only U.S. Government agency that has human spaceflight as its mission. If NASA doesn't do it, then it simply is not going to be done. This investment in Commercial Crew, which is managed out of Johnson Space Center in the 36th congressional District, would aid the development of U.S. human spaceflight capabilities and lay the foundation for future commercial transportation and end our dependence on the Russians. I look forward to working with you, Mr. Chairman, to ensure that we give this program the funding necessary to end our reliance on the Russians.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chairman, several weeks ago, we passed a NASA authorization bill that returns NASA to its core mission, human space flight. The bill before us, H.R. 2262, builds on that good work. We have many American businesses employing thousands of American workers right now. These businesses are pursuing their own space missions, both orbital and suborbital. Some of these entrepreneurs have plans to reach below low Earth orbit, such as taking the first steps toward missions to mine asteroids for precious metals. This landmark legislation will do more to secure America as the home of commercial space exploration than any other legislation that Congress has considered. These endeavors are a great complement to Federal investments in civil and military space initiatives. Let's face it, in any field, no American entrepreneur is going to invest billions of dollars of their own money where there is regulatory uncertainty. The SPACE Act of 2015 creates a regulatory framework and provides certainty for these privately financed endeavors to take the next steps. This legislation will bolster thousands of high-tech American jobs, building a stronger economy, advancing technological leadership, and strengthening our Nation's industrial base. I want to recognize the hard work of our colleagues--Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Bill Posey, Dana Rohrabacher, and Jim Bridenstine. These folks have worked hard for several years on key commercial space provisions that have been incorporated into this bill. Their efforts will create an environment for these private sector companies to flourish. I would also like to thank our chairman, Lamar Smith, and Space Subcommittee chair Steven Palazzo for their leadership in moving this legislation through the committee and in bringing it to the House floor. America has always prospered because we have not stood in the way of visionaries. Rather, we have found a way to enable them to take a chance and succeed on their own.

Mr. BABIN. A vote for this bill is a vote to ignite the flame of commercial space and propel the American entrepreneurial spirit beyond our world and into the final frontier of space. Passing this bill tells the world that America is the home for commercial space.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentlewoman's amendment. The gentlewoman's amendment makes everything a priority so that nothing really is. This amendment rubberstamps the administration's budget request, which fails to make choices, spreading a little bit of research funding around to try to please everyone. Compared to the gentlewoman's proposal, H.R. 1806 funds 329 more new grants in biology next year, 398 more new grants in computer science, 457 more new grants in engineering, and 955 more new grants in math and the physical sciences. These are research grants that are going to universities and research institutions across the country, fueling innovation and driving economic competitiveness in the United States.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1806, the America COMPETES Act. Mr. Chairman, when the American people pay their taxes, they expect their tax dollars to be spent effectively and efficiently. Too often that has not been the case across government, and there is nothing worse than seeing taxes taken out of their paychecks and wasted. Not only is that fiscally irresponsible, it is insulting to the taxpayers. The bill before us is fiscally responsible and takes important steps to cut wasteful spending. Traditionally, when the National Science Foundation was mentioned, Americans thought of hard sciences--basic research, advanced technologies in biology, engineering, mathematics, and the physical sciences. It is investments in these fields that advance American technology and help the United States maintain its competitive edge. Unfortunately, some recent National Science Foundation expenditures have brought widespread criticism to the NSF and its priorities. There was the expenditure, for example, of $856,000 on a grant to teach three captive mountain lions how to use a treadmill. NSF spent another $387,000 on a mechanical device that simulates Swedish massages for rabbits. This is unquestionably a waste of taxpayer money, particularly when we are over $18 trillion in debt. Our bill cuts spending on lower priority government social and behavioral programs at the National Science Foundation by 45 percent, saving taxpayer dollars and setting a higher priority on the harder sciences. The American people want Washington to be responsible with their money, and when Federal agencies get out of hand, they need to be reined in, and our bill does just that. I want to thank Chairman Smith and his staff for their hard work and leadership on this bill, and I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, the funding and authorization for our Federal highway program expires in just 12 days. This is a deadline that Congress, the Department of Transportation, and the American people have known about for almost a year now. And the bill before us today is not the long-term solution that we were hoping for, but it is the necessary step forward at this time while we continue to work on a longer term solution for our highway funding. I appreciate very much the attention that Chairman Shuster has given to this important issue. He has taken a very keen interest in what we need on a national level, and many of us from the Houston area appreciate his coming to our part of America to learn and see what our needs are in the State of Texas. I am confident that the chairman and those of us on the relevant committees in the House and the Senate will come together and deliver a long-term solution for our highway programs and will strengthen them for every Texan and every American. While this bill before us isn't ideal, the choice is very simple. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on this bill to keep our State Department of Transportation on the job through the summer building months and to keep Congress working on a long-term solution.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the legislation before us to combat human trafficking. Not only would I like to thank the gentleman from Virginia, Chairman Goodlatte, and his committee, but I would also especially like to thank our senior Senator from the State of Texas, Mr. Cornyn, for his leadership in getting this important legislation through the Senate. This bipartisan bill will strengthen our laws against human trafficking, train law enforcement to better target criminals engaged in trafficking, and ensure that the victims of human trafficking are cared for with compassion. These victims are taken from their homes, enslaved, treated as objects. Human trafficking is a terrible, heinous crime, and its victims are usually voiceless. Today we are their voice, and we are taking action on their behalf. This legislation provides resources and services that help victims to be identified, rescued, and, most importantly, to begin to heal from these traumatic events. S. 178 takes steps that would serve as a model for other nations to follow in combating the inhumane crime of human trafficking. We must do all that we can to restore dignity to its victims and bring justice to its perpetrators, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This bill takes an important step to protect innocent life. Scientific evidence shows that unborn babies have the capacity to experience pain after 20 weeks. Ending these lives through abortion is both unconscionable and inhumane. As Members of Congress, it is our duty to protect those who are defenseless. Our bill affirms the humanity of the unborn while curbing the inhumanity of abortion. As one of seven children, with five children of my own, and grandfather of 12, I ask my colleagues to support this pro-life bill.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chairman, let me begin by saying that I strongly support programs and operations that are funded by the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation section of the underlying bill. Keeping loose nuclear materials--especially from places like the former Soviet Union states--out of the hands of America's enemies is one of the most important duties of the Department of Energy and the Federal Government as a whole. That being said, Congress has the obligation to set requirements and criteria for every dollar of taxpayer money that we spend, especially funds that are sent or used overseas. In fact, my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee already exercised this judgment with an additional provision in their bill that is very similar to the amendments that I will be offering today. Section 307 of the underlying bill specifically prohibits any DOE nonproliferation funds from being used to enter into new contracts or agreements with Russia, sending a strong signal to Mr. Putin and others that there are real consequences for their irresponsible and destabilizing actions of the last few years. My amendment adds this section to the end of the bill: ``None of the funds made available in this Act under the heading `Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation' may be made available to enter into new contracts with, or new agreements for Federal assistance to the Islamic Republic of Iran except for contracts or agreements that require the Islamic Republic of Iran to cease the pursuit, acquisition, and development of nuclear weapons technology.'' If the last line of my amendment sounds familiar, it should. It is the very same language that Congress defined as total disarmament of Iran's weapons of mass destruction program when it passed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010. That bill passed the Senate by a vote of 99-0 and in the House 408-8, and only two of the Members who voted ``no'' on that bill still serve here in Congress today. There is a lot to be worried about in President Obama's deal with Iran, but two serious concerns trump all of the others: First, how will Iran properly deal with and dispose of 14,000 centrifuges and 9,700 kilograms of highly enriched uranium that they are supposed to give up? And if they are serious about not pursuing a bomb, what are they planning to do with the 6,000 centrifuges and 300 kilograms of uranium that they get to keep under this deal? On the first question, the Web site Vox, hardly a rightwing outlet, says that the disposal of these materials is an open question and that the negotiators punted on how to safely and effectively remove this material from Iran. Given that fact, there is every reason to believe that the DOE nonproliferation account could be used for this purpose. The second question is even more troubling than the first. Michael Morrell, former Director of the CIA, said back in February that ``the potential Iran nuclear agreement would limit Iran to the number of centrifuges needed for a weapon but too few for a nuclear power program,'' a statement verified as ``true'' by PolitiFact. Iran's leaders have repeatedly said they have no interest in developing a nuclear weapon, and over the years, they have made that promise to the international community to gain relief from crippling economic sanctions. I don't trust Iran, but even if I did, I would still say that we follow President Reagan's charge that led us to victory when facing another nuclear foe: trust but verify. Let me be clear. If Iran proves that they are serious about giving up all of their nuclear ambitions, I fully support using DOE nonproliferation assets to get their nuclear materials safely out of that country. Why, I would write a check myself to make sure that my grandkids don't grow up in a world where loose Iranian nuclear material makes its way to the black market or into the hands of terrorists. But Iran can't have one without the other. That is why my amendment will make sure that, if DOE signs a contract with Iran to help remove nuclear material from Iran, it will also stipulate that they are giving up all efforts to build a bomb. This is a commonsense amendment that reiterates the position of Congress and the promises made by President Obama's negotiating team. I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chairman, I ask that the Committee call up amendment No. 4.

Mr. BABIN. My amendment is similar in nature to the one just offered, and I want to ensure that my strong support for the Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Program and the good work of the committee to properly fund it is, once again, reflected in the Record. Mr. Chairman, I offer this second amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill to make clear to Iran and to the world that the complete, intrusive inspections of all Iran civil and military sites are nonnegotiable and must be part of any deal with Iran. My amendment adds this section to the end of the bill: ``None of the funds made available in this Act under the heading `Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation' may be made available to enter into new contracts with or new agreements for Federal assistance to the Islamic Republic of Iran except for contracts or agreements that include authority for the International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct anytime, anywhere inspections of civil and military sites within the Islamic Republic of Iran.'' I was encouraged to see Energy Secretary Moniz, President Obama's chief technical expert in the Iran negotiations, quoted as saying: ``We expect to have anywhere, anytime access'' to conduct nuclear inspections of Iran. I share his view that without these full, intrusive inspections there is simply no way to fully and truly verify that Iran is complying with the terms of any deal they supposedly agree to. Unfortunately, the Iranians do not share the views of our Secretary. Shortly after the Secretary made these comments to Bloomberg News, Iranian Brigadier General Hossein Salami responded by saying: ``Not only will we not grant foreigners the permission to inspect our military sites, we will not even give them permission to think about such a subject. They will not even be permitted to inspect the most normal military site in their dreams.'' Apologists for Iran say that they just need to say these types of things, as well as maintain a limited nuclear stockpile, in order to save face and preserve their national pride. Mr. Chairman, I didn't come here to help the Iranians with their PR efforts. Neither did you, and neither did anyone in this body. Our job is to keep the American people and the free world safe, and any deal with Iran that lifts sanctions but is not coupled with strict inspection requirements isn't just not worth the paper it is written on; it will make us less safe. History can be our guide on this very subject. In one of his biggest but least discussed foreign policy failures, President Clinton in 1994 made a similar ``deal'' with North Korea that was supposed to end their nuclear ambitions and bring them into the international community. Sanctions were lifted, but we were given nothing but mischief and deception by the North Koreans in return. International inspectors were obstructed and blocked on a regular basis. North Korea continued to develop their nuclear program, only now in the shadows and in hardened, underground facilities. In 2006, they successfully detonated a nuclear bomb, and they continue to develop and test long-range missiles and to threaten their neighbors and the West. Instead of weakening the authoritarian regime that controls North Korea, the lifting of the sanctions and the development of nuclear weapons allowed the Kims to tighten their grip on the country and pass it along to the next generation. Congress cannot allow President Obama's flawed deal on Iran to take us down this same path. Once again, if we are going to use DOE resources and taxpayer money to help Iran clean up the mess created by their nuclear ambitions, it should come with conditions. The most important condition should be that they permit the International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct the anytime, anywhere inspections that are so essential to any nuclear reduction agreement. History and our own Energy Secretary tell us that this deal won't work without robust and full inspections. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this amendment to make sure that those inspections do happen. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time. Point of Order

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. BABIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chairman, yes, I would still earnestly urge an ``aye'' vote for this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.J. Res. 43, a joint resolution of Congress, which is needed to protect the conscience rights of pro-life employers that operate in the District of Columbia. Under DC's home rule law, Congress has a time period in which to review DC-passed legislation. In January, DC Mayor Bowser signed the Reproductive Health Non- Discrimination Amendment Act (RHNNDA). This measure would, in part, ban employers from making personnel decisions based on an individual's decisions relating to abortion and other reproductive health issues. RHNNDA would have the force of law and specifically discriminate against pro-life employers by potentially forcing them to hire and retain individuals who advocate for policies that run counter to the employer's mission. Pro-life organizations, including those who exist to advance pro-life policies, should not be forced by the DC government to hire individuals who hold and advocate for positions that run counter to the core values of that organization. Christian schools and pro-life organizations should not be required to cover ``reproductive health decisions'' in their health care plans that are counter to their core pro-life convictions. This DC law amounts to coercion and should have no place in the nation's capital, or any jurisdiction for that matter. This is a step too far and H.J. Res. 43 restores these fundamental conscience rights. I rise in strong support of this legislation and urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this important legislation.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment to terminate the VA's abused Appraised Value Offer Program so that these funds can be used to better serve the needs of our Nation's veterans, rather than VA bureaucrats. The VA spent nearly $300,000 of taxpayer money to move a VA employee 140 miles, specifically from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia. That is $300,000 that could have been used to care for numerous deserving veterans who have served this Nation in uniform, but instead was spent to move someone 140 miles. At the request of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General is investigating this abuse, and here is what we have learned so far. Under the VA's Appraised Value Offer Program, the VA paid more than $80,000 to one of its government employees and $211,000 to a Federal contractor that was tasked with selling that employee's home. At a time when the VA is struggling to meet the medical needs of our veterans, it is unconscionable that the VA would waste $300,000 in taxpayer money to move someone 140 miles. Unfortunately, this is just another disturbing example of the lack of transparency and accountability at the VA. The folks at the VA are already under scrutiny for their shocking failure to properly care for veterans, and now, to spend $300,000 on this is absolutely abusive. Clearly, the VA cannot be trusted to exercise common sense with this program, and it is time to end it. As a military veteran and a father of a decorated Navy SEAL, I am deeply frustrated with the abuse and mismanagement at the VA. Our veterans must be the VA's first priority, not its bureaucrats. I would like to thank House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller for shedding light on this important issue and holding the VA accountable for failing to put veterans first. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and to end this outrageous abuse within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, today is a very special day for us Texans. Today, we celebrate San Jacinto Day, which marks the day Texas won its independence at the Battle of San Jacinto. On this very day in 1836, General Sam Houston's army decisively defeated Mexican President Santa Anna and his forces at the Battle of San Jacinto while famously shouting, ``Remember the Alamo. Remember the Goliad.'' In the U.S. Congress, I am honored and proud to represent this historic battlefield, which now lays home to the San Jacinto Monument. This monument is a staggering and stunning piece of architecture that proudly pays tribute to Texas' victory at the Battle of San Jacinto. Since its completion in 1939, the San Jacinto Monument has served as a symbol of pride, sacrifice, and honor to not only Texas but also to our local community. As we celebrate 179 years of freedom, let us remember the brave Texas heroes who conquered the Mexican forces at the Battle of San Jacinto on this day. May we also remember the significant sacrifices made by so many during the Texas Revolution to achieve the freedoms and liberties that we proudly enjoy today in the Lone Star State.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, today is tax day, bringing us another painful reminder of our broken Federal Tax Code, which is being enforced at the heavy and, many times, unfair hand of the Internal Revenue Service. Simply put, American taxpayers are sick and tired of this out-of-control agency. The IRS has grown too large, too powerful, too aggressive, and too involved in the everyday lives of the American people. Today the House will pass a series of bills to end this abuse, and we invite the U.S. Senate and the President to join us. Our bills will protect the hard-working taxpayers and hold the IRS employees accountable. We create a taxpayer bill of rights, ensuring the American taxpayers are treated with the respect that they deserve. We will take steps to end the politicization of the IRS, which abusively and illegally targeted conservative American citizens. From lost emails to refusing to testify before Congress, the IRS abuses must end. I urge my colleagues to support these commonsense bills to bring transparency and accountability to this runaway agency.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man and a friend, Wayne Prouse. Wayne passed away on Friday, April 3, 2015 at the age of 69. Wayne was an amazing man who shared his love of history and our country with thousands of students over a period of thirty-five years as a teacher in Orange County, Texas. Wayne's passion for history left a lasting impression on all of those he taught and he is remembered by many for his integrity and honor, qualities he strived to instill into his own students as well. He is fondly remembered by many former students whom he sponsored on trips to our nation's capital where he introduced them to the memorials celebrating the lives and achievements of our founding fathers. Wayne always taught with two goals in mind--to promote the ideals of American democracy and civic responsibility among all of his students. Wayne's service to his community didn't end in the classroom. He proudly shared his love of history by serving on the Orange County Historical Association and as an active member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, traveling around the country reenacting famous battles. Wayne also served passionately on the board of directors for the Salvation Army, Orange County Retired Teachers Association, Texas Horseshoe Pitchers Association, and as parliamentarian for the Orange County Republican Party. I had the pleasure of getting to know Wayne as an important member of my staff who served the constituents of our district faithfully. Most notably, Wayne was responsible for our Veteran's Video program where he interviewed combat veterans and later filed DVDs of those interviews with the Library of Congress, where they will remain as important reminders of the service and sacrifices of these brave men and women for generations to come. My prayers and deepest condolences go out to Wayne's wife, Andrea, his son, Brandon and his grandson, Landon. Wayne will be sorely missed by my staff, our community, and his former students, but his passion for history and the valuable lessons he taught will certainly live on.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw the American people's attention to NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly as he prepares to make history tomorrow when he embarks on a yearlong mission to the International Space Station. As the proud representative of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kelly several times to discuss his historic mission. This will mark the first time that an American has spent an entire year continuously in space. On the eve of this important moment, I would like to thank Mr. Kelly for his heroic commitment, leadership, and dedication to advancing America's human spaceflight program. Mr. Speaker, his mission to the International Space Station provides a tremendous boost to our human spaceflight program, while furthering our understanding of the effects that longer term exposure to weightlessness has on the body. This understanding will pave the way for crewed missions to Mars. On behalf of a proud American public, Scott, we wish you all the best, and thank you.