Ted Budd

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, last month, House Democrats announced an impeachment inquiry into the President without a formal vote, and they chose Adam Schiff to lead the process. This effectively means that, for the first time in American history, the impeachment of a duly elected President will take place in secret. Chairman Schiff has been caught on at least three occasions making blatantly false statements about this investigation. He has a complete lack of credibility to lead this sham of an inquiry. This whole thing is profoundly unfair and just not worthy of Congress. So I say to my Democrat colleagues: Stop this secret, partisan impeachment, and let's get back to work for the American people.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss second chances. Across our Nation, one in three adults have an arrest or conviction that makes it difficult to find a job. Take Kevin Miller, for example, who was incarcerated for 8 months in 1992 after a minor altercation with police officers. Kevin was only 19 at the time, but more than a quarter century later, Kevin hasn't been able to get a steady job because he must disclose his arrest on every job application. Michael Mirsky faced similar hardships. He lost his job as a Verizon technician in 2012 after he pled guilty to resisting arrest during a disagreement over child support payments. In the years following the incident, he faced foreclosure of his home, and even as the economy improved and more and more jobs became available, Mr. Mirsky was unable to find a permanent job and start rebuilding his life. Mr. Speaker, stories like Kevin's and Michael's are all too common. In fact, more than 70 million Americans have minor criminal records that they must disclose on job applications. As a result, millions of Americans have been turned down from countless jobs for mistakes made decades ago. The reluctance of employers to hire people with criminal records, combined with job applications that contain check-the-box measures, has detrimental effects on the economy and prevents millions of Americans from becoming productive members of society. In addition, excluding people with minor criminal records from the workforce, often results in their return to crime and to drugs. That is why I am proud to cosponsor the Fair Chance Act, which prohibits the Federal Government and Federal contractors from asking about a job applicant's prior criminal record before a conditional offer of employment. This process humanizes applicants and gives them a chance to meet employers face to face and explain their past before employers make a sweeping judgment based on one checked box. Mr. Speaker, America is a land of second chances. Barriers to employment should not follow a person long after they have served time, paid their debt to society, and started a new life. People deserve the freedom to redeem themselves. As my colleagues go to conference over the NDAA, I urge them to include this legislation as part of any final deal.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Statesville Brick Company for 128 years of business. Due to the Southeast's unique rivers that produce red clay deposits, North Carolina has long been at the center of the brick making economy. This includes companies like Statesville Brick Company which opened its doors in 1891. As times changed though and the post-World War II building boom began to slow, brick makers began closing shop, and small, local operations transitioned into large, interstate corporations. Statesville Brick Company, however, bucked that trend, and remains at heart the same family-run operation it was over a century ago. For Statesville Brick Company Chief Executive Officer Michael Foster and President James E. ``Sonny'' Rankin, Jr. along with Executive Vice President Scott A. Rankin and Quality Control Manager Adam Foster, the brick business is a generational affair. Sonny's grandfather E.R. ``Roy'' Rankin joined the company in 1916 and oversaw the construction of an early iteration of the firm's plant while Michael's father, H.B. ``Bob'' Foster joined as a partner in 1969. Today, Statesville Brick Company currently employs over 90 people and their work can be found at some of our nation's most prestigious academic institutions such as Princeton University, Ohio State University, and Davidson College. Statesville Brick Company's 128 years of business are a source of pride for our region, demonstrating how an operation dedicated to high craftmanship with deep local roots can succeed and thrive in a changing landscape. Madam Speaker, please join me today in celebrating Statesville Brick Company for 128 years of business.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I missed votes today to attend the funeral of a family friend. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 558, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 559 and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 560.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of Dr. Rodney Allen Mortenson of Greensboro, North Carolina on the eve of his retirement. Dr. Mortenson has practiced sports medicine and orthopedic surgery for nearly five decades in the Greensboro and Eden areas. He has been a stalwart of the medical community, expertly servicing the needs of his patients while expanding the knowledge within the orthopedic field more broadly. Through his service as a faculty clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine and authorship of numerous published studies, Dr. Mortenson's intellectual contributions to his field and positive impact on future surgeons have been measurable. In 1976, Dr. Mortenson founded the Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center in Greensboro specializing in trauma care, joint function, and hand and foot surgery. Countless patients have come to see Dr. Mortenson with serious, debilitating afflictions and left his office with a new lease on life. Dr. Mortenson now steps into a new phase of life, retirement, with the love and support of his wife Linda and daughters Ashley, Julie, and Lindsay. I am beyond grateful for the work Dr. Mortenson performed in a community that we both care deeply about, and I wish him only happiness in the years to come. Madam Speaker, please join me today in celebrating the career of Dr. Rodney Allen Mortenson and honoring his service to the city of Greensboro.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, when Congress passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, President Obama made a famous promise: that the American people would be able to keep the plans they liked while paying less for health insurance. But, Mr. Speaker, that famous promise was false, and ObamaCare's consequences are still being felt to this day. Over the preceding decade, premiums for individual coverage have more than doubled, patient choice has declined, and State exchanges have collapsed. This upheaval is a direct result of the law's rigid and costly regulations that predated the Trump administration. In order to bring down costs and increase choice, today I introduced the Flexibility Through Lower Expenses Healthcare Act, or the FLEX Act. The FLEX Act codifies into law the Trump administration's rules on short term, limited duration, and association healthcare plans. This will allow small businesses to band together to purchase affordable plans and give consumers the freedom to purchase low-cost, short-term plans if they need to. Mr. Speaker, it is time for Congress to follow the Trump administration's lead and make these rules permanent. All citizens of our great country deserve affordable health insurance options that are free from ObamaCare's crippling regulatory regime.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight my bill, the Virtual Apprenticeship Tax Credit Act of 2019, which I introduced last week. Despite booming economic growth as a result of the American Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, nearly 7 million jobs in America remain unfilled. Mr. Speaker, I can't tell you how many employers from my district have struggled to find workers with the technical competencies to compete for in-demand, good-paying jobs. So when it comes to workforce development, we need innovative ideas and partnerships between businesses and institutions of higher education. That is why I introduced the Virtual Apprenticeship Tax Credit Act of 2019, which offers a tax credit to employers who invest in the funding of virtual apprenticeship programs. It is my hope this will open more doors for students from all backgrounds. When it comes to learning and workforce development, there shouldn't be a one-size-fits-all approach. Put simply, there needs to be more virtual apprenticeship opportunities for our students.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. G. Brown Loflin. Brown was born November 23, 1934 in Davidson County to Justice Snow Loflin, Sr. and Alice Elliott Loflin. He was an active member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, the Denton Lions Club, and Denton Lodge No. 404 AF and AM. Over the course of his life, Brown wore many hats. Some that come to mind are U.S. Army Reserve veteran, Davidson County Commissioner, owner of the Loflin Garage, and bluegrass enthusiast, just to name a few. But Brown will probably be most remembered as the visionary behind the Denton FarmPark, which started back in 1970. It all began when Brown and a buddy decided to offer airplane rides to raise money for the local rescue squad. But the crowds and wait time for airplane lines grew so much that they needed another attraction. They quickly added antique farm machinery and tractors for folks to view while waiting in line. Brown would eventually abandon the airplane rides and transition to farm equipment, which was a major attraction. He also brought the Handy Dandy Railroad to Denton FarmPark, which features an old steam train that runs during the show and provides rides to visitors of all ages. Today, the Southeast Old Threshers' Reunion is the largest steam, gas, and unique farm machinery show in the Southeast. The property has 15 restored buildings, including a church, grist mill, general store, plantation house, and blacksmith shop. In 2018, Loflin told local reporters that there were more than 1,200 tractors at the Southeast Old Threshers' Reunion. Even when his health declined a few years ago, Brown remained the driving force behind what has become one of the largest events of its kind in the entire country. I'm grateful to have met Brown and know that his many contributions to Davidson County will live on for years to come. Brown is survived by his wife Ruby Johnson, who he had been married to for over 60 years along with his son, Gordon Keith Loflin, a daughter, Karen Loflin Miller, four grandchildren, and a great grandchild. Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring Brown Loflin for his service to Davidson County.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Statesville Brick Company for 115 years of business. Due to the Southeast's unique rivers that produce red clay deposits, North Carolina has long been at the center of the brick making economy. This includes company's like Statesville Brick Company which opened its doors in 1904. As times changed though and the post-World War II building boom began to slow, brick makers began closing shop, and small, local operations transitioned into large, interstate corporations. Statesville Brick Company, however, bucked that trend, and remains at heart the same family-run operation it was over a century ago. For Statesville Brick Company President and General Manager Michael Foster and Executive Vice President Scott Rankin, the brick business is a generational affair. Scott's grandfather E.R. ``Roy'' Rankin joined the company in 1916 and oversaw the construction of an early iteration of the firm's plant while Michael's father, H.B ``Bob'' Foster joined as a partner in 1969. Today, Statesville Brick Company currently employees over 90 people and their work can be found at some of our nation's most prestigious academic institutions such as Princeton University, Ohio State University, and Davidson College. Statesville Brick Company's 115 years of business are a source of pride for our region, demonstrating how an operation dedicated to high craftmanship with deep local roots can succeed and thrive in a changing landscape. Madam Speaker, please join me today in celebrating Statesville Brick Company for 115 years of business.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Statesville Brick Company for 115 years of business. Due to the Southeast's unique rivers that produce red clay deposits, North Carolina has long been at the center of the brick making economy. This includes companies like Statesville Brick Company which opened its doors in 1904. As times changed though and the post-World War II building boom began to slow, brick makers began closing shop, and small, local operations transitioned into large, interstate corporations. Statesville Brick Company, however, bucked that trend, and remains at heart the same family-run operation it was over a century ago. For Statesville Brick Company President and General Manager Michael Foster and Executive Vice President Scott Rankin, the brick business is a generational affair. Scott's grandfather E.R. ``Roy'' Rankin joined the company in 1916 and oversaw the construction of an early iteration of the firm's plant while Michael's father, H.B. ``Bob'' Foster joined as a partner in 1969. Today, Statesville Brick Company currently employees over 90 people and their work can be found at some of our nation's most prestigious academic institutions such as Princeton University, Ohio State University, and Davidson College. Statesville Brick Company's 115 years of business are a source of pride for our region, demonstrating how an operation dedicated to high craftmanship with deep local roots can succeed and thrive in a changing landscape. Madam Speaker, please join me today in celebrating Statesville Brick Company for 115 years of business.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, on September 23, Congress will lose one of its most dedicated Members as Sean Duffy retires from the House. I will miss his unwavering commitment to conservative principles and the way that he never backed down from a fight. In fact, he welcomed them. But he also engaged in a battle of ideas, and he never made it personal. It is because of this attitude that freedom and liberty will be sustained a little longer, and I wish we had more like him. I also respected his legislative accomplishments, particularly his commitment to protecting our State-based system of insurance regulation, just one of his many passions during his time as chairman and ranking member of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee. Mr. Speaker, Sean will be remembered by me as a friend, a loving father, a dedicated husband, and a humble public servant. I, for one, hope this is not the last we hear or see of Congressman Sean Duffy.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Walker), my friend, for yielding, and I thank him for his leadership on this very important piece of legislation. And I also thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams), my colleague, for her leadership on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the FUTURE Act. This bipartisan bill would extend mandatory funding under title 3 of the Higher Education Act to HBCUs around the country. HBCUs play a vital role in expanding opportunity to students in North Carolina, especially in my district, where I am fortunate to represent three of them: Bennett College, North Carolina A&T, and Livingstone College. Now, a recent report I came across found that HBCUs generate $1.7 billion in Federal economic impact in North Carolina. This figure includes direct spending on faculty, academic programs, and by the students directly attending these institutions. HBCUs are an engine of economic growth in our communities because they expand the economic playing field to students from every background. Our economy works best when everyone has a shot at success. As current funding to HBCUs is set to expire on September 30, it is critical that this legislation makes it across the finish line and onto the President's desk. The FUTURE Act would provide funding to more than 100 HBCUs across 19 different States. It will allow universities and their students to continue down the pathway to success. In my view, having healthy HBCUs is critical for our State's economic future. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friends again for their leadership on this bill.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, in June, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, released a list of criminal illegal aliens who were allowed back into their sanctuary communities by local officials. One such criminal is Rosalio Ramos-Romas, a Honduran citizen who was deported four times before authorities arrested him in Washington State in October of 2017. Once notified of his arrest, ICE issued a written detainer request asking local authorities to imprison him for an additional 48 hours. Instead, local authorities ignored the detainer request and allowed Rosalio back into the community, where he eventually murdered his cousin and hid the body in a dumpster. These are not isolated incidents of violence, but they occur all too frequently in sanctuary cities across America. The truth is that sanctuary city policies threaten the safety of our neighbors. I am fed up that these tragedies have gone unchecked for far too long in our country. That is why I introduced H.R. 3964, the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act, with Congressman Bradley Byrne, which would allow anyone harmed by an illegal immigrant in a sanctuary city to sue the sanctuary city or State. Mr. Speaker, it is time for the House to give victims of sanctuary city policies a legal pathway to justice. This cannot happen again.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today because a resolution was introduced in this body last week supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, or BDS movement, against the State of Israel. Again, seemingly right after this body passed another resolution condemning anti-Semitism, this backwards ideology has reared its ugly head once again in the form of H. Res. 496. I have come to the floor today to speak to the supporters of bills like these and the 22 Members who either voted ``nay'' or ``present'' on H. Res. 246 earlier this week, to remind them that Israel is the only stable democracy in an otherwise volatile region of the world. It is a place where women serve in the military and hold high office. It is a place where all people are able to express their views without threat from the government. It is a place where Arab citizens are elected to the Knesset. Bottom line, Israel values human rights. Madam Speaker, we must condemn anti-Semitism no matter where it comes from, and I am glad the House did that earlier this week.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. As a family owner and a fan of the Tennessee Walker breed, I rise today in strong support of this very important animal protection bill, the PAST Act, of which I am a cosponsor. I want to thank my good friend, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho) for his tireless leadership on this bill, as well as the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Schrader). I thank them. So the PAST Act bans the practice of soring, which is a process of inflicting pain on horses' hooves an their legs in order to give them a higher gait. Breeders sometimes use soring to give their horses an advantage in competition, as we have talked about tonight, but the pain inflicted upon the animals is inhumane, and it should be stopped. For years, we have known about this harmful practice, yet there has been very little action to remedy or fix the problem. A recent story I read described the process of exposing sensitive tissues within the hooves of the horse by filing away the hoof. Sharp objects, such as screws, are then pierced into the sensitive tissue inflicting pain to the animal. The damaged tissue that appears after this process is burned away sometimes with acids that burn the horse's skin. Sadly, this barbaric practice continues, and sometimes even out in the open. The current enforcement mechanisms we have in place are not working well enough, and it is time to pass this important bipartisan piece of legislation. Horses, especially those used in shows, are beautiful animals that have done nothing to deserve the pain that soring causes. So once enacted into law, the PAST Act will ensure that we have a more efficient system in place to protect our equine companions from unnecessary, inhumane, and cruel suffering. So once again, I want to thank my friend, the veterinarian from Florida, for his work and also just to let you know that my Tennessee Walkers, our family's Tennessee Walkers, Just Power and Dancers Boss Lady, thank you, as well.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two exceptional students from Rowan County, North Carolina. Recently, Grant Helms, a rising senior at West Rowan High School, and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College student Ashton White competed in the SkillsUSA Championships, a national competition for career and technical education students. Grant and Ashton each won first place in secondary and postsecondary masonry, respectively, and we couldn't be more proud of them. None of this would have been possible without Rodney Harrington, the masonry teacher at West Rowan High School and mentor to these students. Mr. Speaker, these skills are imperative in helping build and grow our economy, so I think it is worth mentioning H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education Act. This monumental bill, which became law last year, has given States like mine more flexibility to meet the unique needs of their students, educators, and employers.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Business High Point--Chamber of Commerce on their 100th year anniversary. In 1919, a small group of volunteers founded the High Point Chamber of Commerce to improve the community and foster long-term economic growth. As High Point has grown and changed, so has its Chamber of Commerce. Today, its membership includes over 950 businesses representing a plethora of economic industries across Guilford County and beyond. Additionally, there are now hundreds of volunteers and nine staff members eager to create positive change for their community. Daily, this Chamber works in honor of its mission to, ``initiate, inspire, and accelerate the kind of change that propels its members to success and its community to prominence.'' I applaud the Chamber, its members, volunteers and staff for working hard to improve our community and strengthen partnerships. Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring the 100th anniversary of Business High Point--Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Representative Rena Turner for her years of service to North Carolina and in honor of her retirement from the North Carolina General Assembly. Since 2013, Representative Turner has been a tireless and effective advocate for Iredell County in the State legislature. Rena has been effective as vice chair of the Appropriations Committee and also served on the Agriculture, Education, and Judiciary Committees. In my view, she has been a champion for many economic sectors of our State but, in particular, agriculture, which she cared so much about. Her constituents and I hate to see her go, but we take comfort in knowing that her family will get to spend some more time with her. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Rena Turner for her many years of service to Iredell County and to our State, and I wish her nothing but the best in her retirement.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today to recognize and honor firefighters from my district in Davie County, North Carolina, who battled an early morning fire caused by a lightning strike earlier this week. Thanks to their efforts and heroism, Mr. Speaker, a church building was spared. Around 3:30 a.m. this Tuesday, Davie County firefighters responded to a fire at Smith Grove United Methodist Church along U.S. Highway 158 in Mocksville. When the firefighters arrived on the scene, flames were bursting out of the roof and immediate action was needed to stop the flames, according to Smith Grove Fire Chief Don Howard. Even though the lightning strike caused the steeple to fall off the roof of the church, the firefighters pressed on to fight the flames and save the majority of the building. I am grateful for the service of these men and women, many of whom are volunteers, who every day put themselves in danger to keep our families and our communities safe. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the departments that responded, which included Smith Grove, Farmington, Cornatzer-Dulin, Mocksville, the Cooleemee Fire Departments; Davie EMS; Davie County Fire Marshal's Office; and the Davie County Sheriff's Office. I thank these heroes and others like them in our country.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BUDD. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BUDD. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BUDD. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I urge the Speaker to immediately schedule this important bill.