Buddy Carter

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the groundbreaking and altruistic life of Mr. Frank Chappell, who passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017, at the age of 85. Originally from Quitman, Georgia, Mr. Chappell always had a passion for serving others. He grew up as an integral member of his church and joined the Army directly after high school to serve his country and fight in the Korean war. In the Army, he gained the motivation he needed to continue his education, enrolling in Savannah State University upon his return home from Korea. He moved to Savannah permanently after graduation and continued using his passion for service to make Savannah a better place to live. In 1957, he joined the Savannah police department. Mr. Chappell was in the second group of African-American police officers the department had ever hired. However, at that time, these officers were still unable to drive in police cars or arrest potential criminals. Nevertheless, Mr. Chappell's personable nature created a connection with neighbors around Savannah that, before 1957, had felt underrepresented. He retired from the police force after 35 years but, subsequently, embarked on another service position as a member of the city council for Thunderbolt, Georgia. During his term there, he was instrumental in building a new town hall and senior citizen building. I am proud to thank Mr. Chappell, as well as his family, for all of his outstanding work in the Savannah community. He certainly will be missed. American Patriot Award Winner Judge J. Alexander Atwood

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Mr. Gregg Allman, award-winning rock and roll singer and songwriter who passed away in Savannah, Georgia, on Sunday May 27, 2017, at the age of 69. Mr. Allman will be remembered as the keyboardist and distinctly soulful voice of the Allman Brothers, a three-time Grammy Award-winning Southern rock band whose popularity has spawned generations of dedicated followers throughout the world. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1947, Mr. Allman and his brother, Duane, were skilled guitarists and keyboardists by the time they graduated from high school. The brothers went on to perform with a number of small West Coast sound rock bands throughout the 1960s, moving between Los Angeles and Jacksonville, before establishing the Allman Brothers Band in 1969. The band's most popular songs included ``Midnight Rider,'' ``Whipping Post,'' and ``Ramblin' Man,'' which references Macon's Highway 41, where Mr. Allman was laid to rest. These songs will span the test of time and continue to live on, even as the music industry has drastically changed. In 1973, Mr. Allman began a solo career and enjoyed a great deal of success as both a member of the Allman Brothers and a solo act. In 1995, Allman and the other members of the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I am proud that Mr. Allman chose to call Savannah home, and I am honored to have the opportunity to represent such an outstanding artist. Remembering Frank Chappell, Jr.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Army Specialist Etienne J. Murphy, who died on May 26 when his vehicle overturned in Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. Specialist Murphy was raised in Loganville, Georgia, where, from an early age, he showed a keen interest in the American Armed Forces and for serving his country. He enlisted in the Army at 18 years old, and 2 years later he joined the 1st Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment, stationed at Hunter Army Airfield. Murphy was just 5 days into his first deployment in Syria when his vehicle was involved in a nontactical rollover-related accident which is still under investigation. Murphy's wife and two young sons continue to reside in Savannah, Georgia, where he was stationed. Only a short time after Memorial Day, Specialist Murphy's passing reminds us all that freedom comes at a high price, and servicemen and - women face danger daily when fighting to preserve American values against terrorism. I want to share my deepest condolences to his family and thank Specialist Murphy for his service, bravery, and sacrifice.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Memorial Day on May 29, 2017. On this day, Americans across our Nation pay respects to and honor members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have sacrificed their lives defending the freedoms that we so gratefully enjoy. The decision to leave families and friends, travel to a land that is utterly unfamiliar, and risk their lives protecting the lives of others is among the most selfless acts one can make. Roughly 1.5 million Americans are currently serving in one of the five branches of the Armed Forces. Of these Americans, nearly 90,000 are assigned to one of Georgia's numerous military bases which are scattered throughout our great State. Georgia's First Congressional District that I have the honor and privilege of representing is particularly important to our Nation's Armed Forces as it includes Fort Stewart Army Base, Hunter Army Airfield, Kings Bay Naval Base, and Moody Air Force Base. The service provided by our Nation's armed services is invaluable. Throughout our history, millions have paid the ultimate price for freedom--they have given their lives in order to save ours. I ask that you please keep these brave men and women in your prayers, not only on Memorial Day but every day. It is an honor to represent a State and a district with such a strong tie to our Nation's defense. I ask that you pray for our troops, and I ask that you pray for our Nation. God bless each and every one of you as we observe this great Memorial Day. God bless America.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Walter Parrish, a 98-year-old World War II veteran in Georgia's First Congressional District. Mr. Parrish was born on March 12, 1919, less than 6 months after the end of World War I. Originally from New Jersey, Mr. Parrish served 5 years in the Navy as a signalman on destroyer ships, where he used lamps and visual objects to communicate with others in the water. Mr. Parrish served both in the Atlantic and the Pacific theaters of the war, and it is undoubted that his role was crucial to the success of his shipmates. Although winning World War II is a major accomplishment, Mr. Parrish enjoyed another important milestone during the war when he married his wife. He asked her hand in marriage on a Sunday and married her less than a week later, on Wednesday. Mr. Parrish, thank you for your service to our country, and I hope your inspiring life will serve as a lesson for all those who know your story. With Memorial Day approaching, I encourage everyone in our Nation to take time to reflect on the sacrifices of our veterans, thank our Nation's veterans, and understand the importance of their service.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Police Week. It is a privilege to take the time this week to reflect, remember, and honor our Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers who courageously defend American citizens and protect our communities. They selflessly put their lives on the line to ensure that this Nation is one of safety and order. On November 18, 2016, the reality of that danger hit home in Georgia's First Congressional District. Deputy Commander Patrick Carothers, a 26-year veteran of the U.S. Marshals Service and a resident of Long County, lost his life in the line of duty while serving a routine warrant. He left behind a loving wife and five children. This week the House will vote on H.R. 115, the Thin Blue Line Act. With this bill, we can put a safeguard in place that works to protect our officers and their families from experiencing the same tragedy that took Commander Carothers' life. Thank you to the hardworking men and women of law enforcement that work each day to keep us safe, and thank you to the family of Commander Carothers, who sacrificed his life in the name of public good. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support the American Health Care Act. For the last 7 years, I have watched ObamaCare crush the healthcare system that I worked in for more than 30 years. Thanks to ObamaCare, we have an insurance exchange that has withered to where a third of the counties in our country have only one insurer. At home in Georgia, 96 counties have only one choice on the exchange. That is not a choice. ObamaCare has failed, and the American Health Care Act is critical to resuscitate our healthcare system and move it in a direction where patients, families, and doctors are making decisions, not the Federal Government and bureaucrats sitting behind a desk in Washington. The American people need and deserve better, and that is why we must pass the American Health Care Act. This legislation guts ObamaCare and rebuilds a system that would deliver the choice and control that patients need and deserve all while ensuring that health insurers will not be allowed to discriminate by gender or preexisting conditions, and no one will be denied coverage, period.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of one of Savannah, Georgia's finest, Mr. Joe Murray Rivers, who passed away on April 5, 2017, at the age of 78. Born February 3, 1939, in Savannah, Georgia, Mr. Rivers became a proud public servant in the area he was born and raised. Mr. Rivers graduated from Beach High School before attending the U.S. Air Force Institute and the University of Maryland, The City College of New York, and Savannah State University. Mr. Rivers later opened the Olympic Sport Shop in downtown Savannah, and it was during this time that he realized the drastic need for improved public transportation. Inspired to solve this issue, Mr. Rivers was elected to the Chatham County board of directors in 1985. Throughout his 20-year tenure, he became a warrior of public transport and cosponsored legislation to solve the transportation problem in the county. In appreciation for the work Mr. Rivers has done, Savannah's Intermodal Transit Center now bears his name. Mr. Rivers' public service extended far beyond elected office and transportation reform. His leadership and compassion towards every member of the community will be sorely missed.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of Gulfstream Aerospace, the largest private sector employer in Georgia's First Congressional District. Gulfstream's origins as an aerospace company are steeped in American history. During World War II, Roy Grumman built war planes for the United States during the war. After the war ended, he sought a new use for his resources and, in 1958, founded Gulfstream to build business airliners instead. Mr. Grumman's first project, the Gulfstream I, made its first flight on August 14, 1958. This purpose-built business aircraft was the first of its kind and revolutionized general aviation. Gulfstream produced more than 200 of the original aircraft, many of which are still operating today. The first project spawned more aircraft models and helped exciting innovations take off. On September 29, 1967, Gulfstream landed in Savannah, Georgia, where it remains headquartered to this day. Savannah offers optimal land availability, labor supply, transportation facilities, and weather conditions, making it the perfect location to operate. We have gladly welcomed Gulfstream in our district for the last 50 years, and this impressive company has greatly contributed to the community by employing nearly 10,000 people. Congratulations to Gulfstream Aerospace on reaching its 50th anniversary, a milestone I am confident it will continue to build on.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the palpable achievements of the Taiwan Relations Act on its 38th Anniversary. The TRA, which was enacted on April 10, 1979, has and continues to be the critical cornerstone in preserving the relationship between the United States and Taiwan, and in maintaining both the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan's democratic existence. The significance of the TRA, as well as the significance of President Reagan's Six Assurances of 1982, cannot be understated. Regional military buildups confirm the necessity of the TRA and the policy that the United States shall ``make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.'' The security interests of our good friend and security partner Taiwan must not be marginalized. The commitments made in the Congressionally-mandated Taiwan Relations Act and President Reagan's ``Six Assurances'' can never be compromised. It is my hope that by working with our friends in Taiwan, we can help find the balance necessary for the region. Doing so is yet another way we guarantee Taiwan's freedom and democracy. Our obligations under the TRA are clear, and I ask my colleagues to join me in working with the Administration in focusing on this important issue as this session of Congress continues to unfold. On this 38th Anniversary, I reaffirm my support for the TRA and the Six Assurances, and I wish the people of Taiwan the very best.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to help set the record straight on the vote last week to roll back the Federal Communications Commission's flawed internet service provider rules. Since the internet was created, the Federal Trade Commission has been in charge of online privacy and has been largely successful in this mission. However, last year, the Federal Communications Commission overreached its authority by creating its own set of privacy rules that applied to a small group of internet service providers like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T. This is why I joined my colleagues in the House to approve the Congressional Review Act to nullify this redundant rule promulgated by the FCC. The FCC claimed these rules would provide customers with strong security protections, but, in reality, the FCC's rules created confusion, an additional layer of bureaucratic red tape, and a false sense of privacy that did not exist. In fact, the head of both the FCC and FTC penned a joint op-ed recently supporting Congress' decision. In their own words, we cleared the way to reinstate a rational and effective system for protecting consumer privacy.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call your attention to the upcoming Gold Star Spouses Day occurring on April 5, 2017, and to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing those who have given so much for our country. Gold Star Spouses are widows and widowers who have lost loved ones during their service to our Nation's Armed Forces. Through this group, members find comfort, understanding, and an unparalleled support system. On April 5, we all have the opportunity to honor both fallen American heroes and surviving military spouses.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of former Georgia State Representative Burke Day. Mr. Day passed away in his Tybee Island home on March 5, 2017, at the age of 62. Mr. Day was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, to parents, Cecil and Marian, but he grew up in Dunwoody, Georgia. It was there that Mr. Day met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Sally, at Peachtree High School. During this time, he helped lay the foundation of his father's new business, Days Inn Hotels. Mr. Day worked with his father to build the very first location on Tybee Island. After studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and Mercer University in Atlanta, Mr. Day joined the family business of real estate like his father. In 1991, he made his start in politics by running for the Tybee Island City Council on a dare, and won. During this time, he grew to love public service. Three years later he ran again, this time for the Georgia General Assembly House of Representatives, where he served for the next 16 years until his retirement in 2010. Perhaps his greatest achievement was his work on the Stephens-Day legislation in 2000, which freezes the value of residential property at the time it was purchased. This means homeowners are not taxed out of their homes when property values increase. Stephens-Day saved local residents hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year. I am proud to recognize today Mr. Day's time in public service and his contributions to the people of Georgia. Gold Star Spouses Day

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Southern Soul Barbeque for winning the Southern Living magazine's first ever Best of the South Award. In fall of 2016, Southern Living polled its nationwide audience to discover America's favorite cities, hotels, shops, museums, and restaurants in the South. At the end of the poll, America crowned St. Simons Island's own Southern Soul Barbeque as the best barbecue restaurant in the South. The restaurant opened in 2007 when Harrison Sapp and Griffin Bufkin joined forces to create an authentic barbecue restaurant that embraces its Southern roots. Southern Soul Barbeque was born in a converted gas station with Southern charm, making it the perfect atmosphere to feast on Mr. Sapp's and Mr. Bufkin's barbecue dishes. They cook their delicious pork ribs and brisket on oak-fired pits outside their restaurant, so patrons know they are enjoying authentic barbecue. Over the years, the restaurant has enjoyed a loyal local following and was even featured on the Food Network in 2010. These days, business is booming, and should only grow from here. In their efforts to feed the folks of St. Simons Island, Mr. Sapp and Mr. Bufkin created more than a barbecue restaurant, they created a barbecue experience. Congratulations to Mr. Sapp and Mr. Bufkin on winning this award, and for the national recognition their hard work earned. Remembering the Life of Burke Day

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Joe Rogers, Sr., the co-founder of Waffle House, who passed away on March 3, 2017, at the age of 97. In 1919, Mr. Rogers was born in Jackson, Tennessee. Before he became a waffle cook, Mr. Rogers served as a captain in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he took a job as a short-order cook, eventually moving to Atlanta in 1949. It was there that he met his future partner in the Waffle House business, Tom Forkner. In famous words, Mr. Rogers told his friend: ``You build a restaurant and I'll show you how to run it.'' Their decision was the start of something special. The first Waffle House opened on Labor Day weekend, 1955, in Avondale Estates, Georgia. It was Mr. Rogers' suggestion to keep their restaurant doors open all day long so people would always have a warm place to eat. Soon enough, more and more towns needed their own 24-hour diner, and today, more than 2,100 locations are scattered across 25 States. Georgia leads the way with more than 400 locations covering the State. What Mr. Rogers valued the most was the people, whether they were dedicated regulars, hungry drop-ins, or the employees who made his dream possible. His passion for people was a defining characteristic in his life and is an endearing trait of the Waffle House legacy. Thank you, Mr. Rogers, for welcoming any who entered the Waffle House doors, regardless of who they were, what time they came, or how they ordered their hash browns. Best of the South

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am joyous to be here today on such a historical day. You see, for the past 7 years, I have practiced in ObamaCare, I have practiced under ObamaCare, and I have practiced in that setting; and I can tell you that what it promised, it has not delivered on. There has not been increased accessibility, no. Instead of that, we have got five States in our country that only have one plan to offer. We have a third of the counties in our country that only have one plan to offer. We have 16 counties in Tennessee that don't even have a plan, and now we are going to have the opportunity to have access. Now we are going to have choice. We have also been told about affordability. Well, let's talk about affordability. We see what ObamaCare did. It increased premiums 25 percent this year alone; 50 percent in seven States. That is unsustainable. What is our plan going to do? It is going to give affordability. It is going to give competition. We are going to have choices. And what else? It is going to remove red tape. It is going to remove the barriers between healthcare professionals and patients. It is going to empower patients. That is what health care in America is about: people making healthcare decisions with their healthcare practitioners. That is what we are going to do. That is what this does. The two worst things that ObamaCare did to the healthcare system in America, first of all, is it took the free market out of America. It took the free market out of health care in America. It also expanded Medicaid, a safety net program that was intended for the aged, the blind, the disabled, children, and mothers, and extended it to able- bodied adults--something that it was never intended to do. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to hearing how many people in my district are going to be empowered now from the gentleman from New Jersey.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Well, as we say in south Georgia, the proof is in the pudding, and the proof is right here. Premiums have gone up this year. Look, one thing that amazes me is we have almost created two new classes of uninsured. First of all, through ObamaCare, it has mandated that people have insurance. So you have got a class who have insurance, but their deductibles are so high they can't afford to use it. So there you have a new class of literally uninsured. Then you have another class of people who were able to afford insurance before, but now it has gotten so expensive, they just pay the penalty. They cannot even afford it. I think it has done just the opposite of what it was intended to do. I have heard this same argument, that we had to do something, that costs were rising. I will agree that we have to address healthcare costs. We do. We are. In fact, we are doing it this week. Remember, this is the first phase. As you pointed out, what we vote on this week is only the first phase. We have got two more phases to go. In those two phases, we intend to do a lot that is going to help control healthcare costs. I like to give the example, if you will indulge me for just a minute, when I was still practicing pharmacy--and I tell you this to explain just how competition works. When I was still practicing pharmacy, I still had my pharmacy, and I still owned it at the time. This drugstore opened down the street, a tiny company. I am trying to remember the name. Oh, yeah, it was Walmart. They decided they wanted to be a player in the healthcare system, in the pharmacy system, in the pharmacy market. So they came out with this idea that they were going to sell a 30-day supply of generics for $4. I thought to myself, they must be crazy, I can't even buy it for that much. I bowed my back and I said: I am not going to do that. I am not going to do that. Well, guess what. A week later, I was doing it. I had people leaving my store. And I called my supplier up and I said: You have got to do something here, you have got to help me. That is the way competition in health care works. When you have got choices, when you have got competition, prices go down, quality goes up. Sometimes we get caught up too much in the numbers game, thinking, oh, we have got all these lives covered. Coverage does not necessarily equate quality health care, as you well understand. We have to be very careful with that. Now, we want people to have coverage, and we want them more so to have quality health care. This plan addresses that. It addresses it by increasing choices, by increasing competition, by increasing accessibility, and by empowering people. I am very proud. I am going to be very proud to vote for this bill on Thursday.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Absolutely.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Again, I thank the gentleman from Texas for leading this Special Order here tonight, and I thank everyone who has been involved in this.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding, my good friend, Representative Burgess from Texas. We are very blessed to have Representative Burgess' leadership on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, as he chairs the Health Subcommittee and brings his years of experience. I want to thank him for his leadership and for holding this tonight. Mr. Speaker, every day, I hear stories from folks all across my district in the First Congressional District of Georgia, in southeast Georgia, who have been forced to choose. They have been forced to choose between paying their monthly insurance premium or buying other essentials for their families. I want to give you an example of someone who I am talking about--a real life example, someone who has experienced this. Consider the case of Bob Joiner. Bob Joiner is an independent adviser in south Georgia. His wife, Kim, is an audiologist who works in a small practice that does not provide healthcare benefits. Bob and Kim exercise regularly. They watch their nutrition. They are fortunate to have no health problems. They also have a 28-year-old son, Wesley. In 2016, Bob's monthly healthcare premium increased 134 percent, and his son's healthcare insurance climbed to an astonishing 190 percent. In total, their 2016 annual premiums were $4,285 for their son Wesley, and for them it was $19,026. The Joiners should have been hopeful that in 2017 they could change their plan for something more affordable. But thanks to ObamaCare, that wasn't the case. You see, what ObamaCare has done is to limit choices. In 2017, there was only one ObamaCare-compliant plan that was accessible to the Joiners on the healthcare.gov website. An additional policy featuring a higher deductible with lower premiums was available; however, the plan was not ObamaCare compliant, leaving the Joiners subjected to the penalty. Before ObamaCare, the Joiner family's annual premium was $7,400. At the time, they had access to multiple providers and dozens of plan designs. Unfortunately, ObamaCare has brought chaos into the healthcare system. The Joiners are not alone. This is just one example of many throughout my district and throughout America of what ObamaCare has done. ObamaCare has done, essentially, three things. First of all, it has taken away choice. It has limited choices. Representative Burgess mentioned the fact that a third of the counties in America right now only have one provider. Only one provider. That is not a choice. Five States only have one provider. That is not a choice. Sixteen counties in Tennessee have no provider. No one. That is not sustainable. We have a situation that faced us here in the majority party, the Republican Party. We had to decide: What are we going to do? Should we even touch health care or should we just leave it alone? We did the right thing. We said: We need to rescue the healthcare system here in America. We have got to act, and we have got to act now. ObamaCare is imploding. We know that. Premiums have gone up, on average this year, 25 percent. In seven States, they have gone up over 50 percent. It is simply not sustainable. It has decreased choices and increased cost. It has also caused much red tape and many obstacles between patients and their healthcare providers, between patients and physicians, between patients and pharmacists. That is not the way health care is supposed to be in America. I am a strong believer in health care. I am the only pharmacist currently serving in Congress. My professional career, like Representative Burgess, has been dedicated to health care. I am just not going to sit around and watch the greatest healthcare system in the world be ruined. That is why we have passed out of three committees thus far the American Health Care Act. Representative Burgess mentioned the fact that it has been through the Energy and Commerce Committee, it has been through the Ways and Means Committee, it has been through the Budget Committee. Now it will be on the floor this week. Thursday will be a historical day for our country. It will be a historical day for health care in America. What are we going to be offering? We are going to be offering a plan that increases choices, that increases accessibility, that cuts red tape, that removes barriers between patients and healthcare professionals, that empowers people. It empowers citizens to be able to make their own healthcare choices. Instead of having Washington, D.C., in their infinite wisdom, infinite knowledge, tell you what you need to have, you now will decide what you need to have, what is best for you, what is best for your family. That is what it is all about. That is one of the many reasons it is so good. This plan offers so many good things in it. Health savings accounts. To be able to put more into a health savings account, to be able to roll it over from year to year, to be able to increase the amount in there, and even pass it on to survivors. We utilize tax credits to make sure that, no, unlike ObamaCare, you are not penalized for not having insurance, but instead, you are rewarded for having insurance. That is what we are going to do. Of all the bad things that I think ObamaCare has done to the healthcare system in America, first of all, it has taken the free market out of health care. No more competition, as we noted earlier. But the second thing has been this Medicaid expansion. That really is something that I take offense to. Medicaid is a great program. It is a program that is necessary. It is a safety net program. It is intended to take care of the aged, the blind, the disabled, children and mothers. It was never intended to be for able-bodied adults. This is not what a safety net program is about. Under ObamaCare, I hear the other party say: Well, we have added 20 million people onto the insurance roles. Well, let's look at that. 14.5 million of those people were added on to Medicaid expansion. We shouldn't be calling this ObamaCare. We should be calling it ObamaCaid. Able-bodied adults added on to a safety net program. We are revising Medicaid. We are reforming Medicaid. Medicaid is going to be even better for those people who need it. Instead of diluting that program, we are going to make sure that those people who truly need it--the aged, the blind, the disabled, children, mothers--have more access to it, as they should. We promised three things among many things, but we promised, hey, we are going to keep a couple of things in here. We are going to make sure that parents can continue to have their children up to age 26 on their insurance. We promised that we were going to make sure that preexisting conditions were going to be included and that you would not be kicked off of your health insurance. We promised that we were going to have a stable transition. We are doing just that. We are delivering on those promises. We are making sure--I often get asked: What about that 100 to 138 percent of the Federal poverty level? What are you doing for them? Well, we came up with a refundable tax credit that is actually going to pay their insurance. That will go directly to pay their insurance. The American Health Care Act delivers on what we promised. What we promised is that we would have more choices. What we promised is that we would have more accessibility. What we promised is that we would empower patients. We are doing that. We are empowering people. We are rescuing health care in America. I intend to vote for this plan Thursday night, and I am going to be very proud to vote for it. We are going to rescue the healthcare system that I practiced in for over 30 years. I have seen how competition works in the healthcare system. I practiced in it. I have competed in it. I have seen how it lowers costs, and it will lower costs. People now will be empowered to have the ability to choose their own insurance instead of being mandated from Washington, D.C., what kind of insurance they should have. I thank leadership for what they have done to pull this together. I thank the President. The President is behind this. President Trump made it one of his campaign promises: We are going to repeal and we are going to replace ObamaCare. You know, it amazes me the media seems to--I get asked quite often: Can you believe he is doing this? Can you believe he is doing that? I just think: Didn't he tell you he was going to do this? Didn't he tell you he was going to do that? I think they are just amazed that we actually have somebody in the White House who is delivering on promises that he made, and he is doing just that. This is a historical week in Congress. Thursday will be a historical day. We are rescuing health care. I am going to be proud to vote for this bill. Again, I thank leadership. I thank the White House. I thank Representative Burgess, who has been a great leader through all this and has had a big part in this. I thank him for his part in this as well.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support resuscitating our healthcare system. ObamaCare is being crushed under its own weight and the American Health Care Act will deliver a better way for health care. One of the greatest failures of ObamaCare is that it forces Americans into coverage that they do not want and that they cannot afford. Our plan, instead, is designed to empower patients to access quality, affordable, and patient-centered health care. The American Health Care Act will put the free market back into health care, giving Americans the freedom of choice. Instead of Washington controlling the decisions of patients, we will empower them to make their own choices. Americans deserve to have access to quality, affordable, and patient- centered health care, and this is how we intend to make this a reality. Remember, this is the first phase of this mission to rescue our country's health care, and I am committed to making sure that it is not the last. Phase two is underway with administrative actions from our friend, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Tom Price. Leader McCarthy has begun to lay out additional legislation that we could not include in reconciliation. We will waste no time on this and we will begin consideration next week. The battle does not end with the American Health Care Act, but it is a crucial first step to a better tomorrow.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Dennis Counihan for being named grand marshal of Savannah's 2017 St. Patrick's Day Parade. The annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Savannah has been a beloved local tradition and an important family affair since its beginning in 1824. Welcoming visitors from all over the world to celebrate its Irish heritage, Savannah astonishingly hosts the third largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the world and the second largest in the United States. As such, the position of grand marshal is not to be taken lightly. This year there were a record-setting six nominees vying for the position, but Mr. Counihan rose above the rest due to his experience and dedication to Savannah. Mr. Counihan's love for his community is emphasized through his work with the Hollander Senior Living company, where he purchases old real estate to be redesigned as nursing homes. It seems as if Mr. Counihan was destined to be grand marshal, considering his family's role in the parade over the years. His brother Brian is currently the parade chairman, and his father, Michael, served as the parade's grand marshal in 1988. Mr. Counihan has been on the parade committee since 1980. He certainly knows the dedicated effort that goes into making this event special and successful. Congratulations, Mr. Counihan, on this great honor. I look forward to seeing the new additions you will bring to the parade.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Nay'' on rollcall No. 153. Amendment No. 2 Offered by Ms. Jackson Lee

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the academic accomplishments of several school systems in Georgia's First Congressional District. Niche is a website which analyzes data gathered from the Department of Education that focuses on academics, student life, test scores, and college enrollment. With this data, they rank each school system and help families find the best schools for their children. This year, Georgia's First District had the honor of placing 10 school systems in their top 100 school districts in Georgia. It comes as no surprise to me that so many of these outstanding school districts made this great achievement. Camden County School District ranks as the top school system in the district and even cracked the top 10 for the State, ranking as the number 7 overall school system in Georgia. Camden County scored top marks in the categories of diversity, teachers, health and safety, administration, and sports. In addition to Camden County, I am proud to recognize, today, the other school districts to reach the top 100: Pierce County, Lowndes County, Ware County, Effingham County, Glynn County, Bryan County, Bacon County, Echols County, and Chatham County. Congratulations to each school's administration, teachers, and students whose hard work and dedication made this accomplishment possible. I look forward to the future success that will surely come from these schools.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend, the gentleman from Florida, Representative Yoho, for this opportunity and for hosting this tonight to discuss how ObamaCare is affecting folks at home. Consider the case of Bob Joiner, an independent adviser in south Georgia. His wife, Kim, is an audiologist who works in a small practice that does not provide healthcare benefits. Bob and Kim exercise regularly, they watch their nutrition, and they are fortunate to not have any health problems. They also have a 28- year-old son named Wesley. In 2016, Bob's monthly healthcare premium increased 134 percent, and his son's climbed to an astonishing 190 percent. In total, their 2016 annual premiums were $4,285.56 for their son Wesley and $19,026.12 for Bob and Kim. The Joiners should have been hopeful that, in 2017, they could change their plan for something more affordable. But thanks to the Affordable Care Act, that wasn't the case. This year, only one Affordable Care Act-compliant plan was accessible to them on the healthcare.gov website. An additional policy featuring a higher deduction with lower premiums was available. However, the plan was not ObamaCare-compliant, leaving the Joiners subjected to the Affordable Care Act penalty. Before ObamaCare, the Joiner family's annual premium for the whole family--the entire family--was $7,428. At the time, they had access to multiple providers and dozens of plan designs. Unfortunately, ObamaCare has brought chaos into the healthcare system. I want to repeat that again. Before ObamaCare, the family's annual premium for the whole family--for Bob, Kim, and their son Wesley--was $7,428. Last year, just for Wesley, it was $4,285. For Bob and Kim, it was $19,026. Folks, that is just astonishing. That is not right. The Joiners are not alone when they explained that they are unable to save for retirement or pay down their mortgage because of progressive increases in healthcare costs. Patients across the country now face this grim reality because ObamaCare has failed. Just as the Joiners saw patient costs are skyrocketing, last year the Obama administration even admitted that premium hikes were coming for this year's healthcare plans. It turns out the national average premium increase is an astonishing 25 percent. That is the average. In seven States, it is more than 50 percent. Unbelievable. Well, Mr. Speaker, today is a new day. This afternoon, the Energy and Commerce Committee completed a marathon markup of its portion of what was ultimately to be the ObamaCare reconciliation bill. It was an honor to be a part of that. Twenty-seven hours and 27 minutes we met, and we finally got it out of committee. Now it goes to the Committee on the Budget, along with the bill that the Committee on Ways and Means has sent. So those two bills will be put together and they will go to reconciliation. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have been a part of this historic opportunity, taking the first meaningful steps toward entitlement reform and replacing ObamaCare. I thank all of my colleagues who are here this evening taking part in this Special Order as well as thank each Member of Congress who has and continues to take a stand against the idea of a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach to health care. Our plan presents a better way. The American Health Care Plan will give us access and affordability. It will give us patient-centered health care. Enough of this top-down, cookie-cutter approach that we have had, thinking that everything from Washington, D.C., is better, thinking that we know what the States need. That is not right. What we need is to empower patients. What we need is to have patients in control of their healthcare system, and this is what the American Health Care plan does. It empowers patients through health savings accounts, through tax credits, reforming Medicaid. The American Health Care Plan is on its way. I am excited. I am excited for America. I, again, thank Representative Yoho for hosting this Special Order. We appreciate your work. I thank all Members of Congress who have had a part of this on both sides of the aisle. I thank everyone. Help is on the way: better health care, market-based health care, where competition and choices will be the case, where insurance companies will be fighting for your business, where you will have choices, where you will have competition in the market. That is what we need. That is what is going to bring healthcare costs down.