James Comer

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy), the Republican leader.

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Waters forgets that President Obama removed 12,000 of those blue boxes that she just asked that they quit removing. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman).

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Arrington), my good friend.

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 8015, the Delivering for America Act. This is the result of a legislative process only slightly less absurd than the conspiracies, insinuations, and fabrications that gave rise to the purported need for it. I mean, just this second, the sponsor of the bill says she has data now that we can all receive while we are voting on the bill. I mean, is this data from a whistleblower? We all know their record with whistleblowers. The process is broken. Regardless, we are here today debating a bill to simultaneously hamstring and bail out the Postal Service. We have had no committee hearings or markups. On Monday, we will hear from the new Postmaster General, after we vote on the bill. It makes no sense. The result is deeply flawed. Although Dr. Fauci advised that there is no reason Americans cannot vote in person, citizens choosing to vote by mail must have their ballots delivered in a timely manner. The Postmaster General has pledged that is his mission. And on Friday, before the Senate, he pledged ballots would be delivered faster than first-class mail, without rate increases. I want to turn now and, one by one, debunk the Democrats' conspiracy theories. First, Democrats claim DeJoy is removing blue collection boxes to sabotage the election. This is an absurd claim. This removal process is routine. The Postal Service has removed 35,000 boxes over the last 10 years. Under President Obama, at least 12,000 mailboxes were removed, and no one cried foul then. Second, Democrats claim Postmaster DeJoy is removing mail sorters to intentionally slow the mail. These sorters were on track to be removed prior to his appointment and reflect the reality that mail volume is down 33 percent over the past 15 years. The third Democrat claim is that the Postal Service cannot manage volume resulting from the upcoming election. In 2019, the Postal Service handled an average of 471 million pieces of mail each day. Assuming all 158 million registered voters decided to vote by mail, the total volume of requested and mailed ballots would not exceed a typical day of total USPS mail volume. Fourth, the Democrats claim the Postmaster General's pilot program and his efforts to reduce excessive overtime were intended to sabotage the election. The Postmaster General testified he never sought to eliminate overtime. Instead, he sought to get postal operations on time so there would be less need to rely on overtime and reduce extra mail truck trips. With overtime costs of $1.1 billion in 2018 alone, why wouldn't you try to improve on that? The Fifth Democratic claim is that the Postal Service General Counsel sent letters to the Senate election boards to intimidate and stoke fears. Letters were also sent in May, well before Postmaster DeJoy took over--remember, the Postmaster has only been in office 60 days--saying what the U.S. Postal Service has been saying for years, that some State election boards have deadlines and requirements that simply do not consider the reality of Postal Service operations and logistics constraints. If a State allows voters to request absentee ballots 1 day before the election, why wouldn't the Postal Service advise there might be a problem. Sixth. Democrats are acting like any mail delays are new and orchestrated by Postmaster General DeJoy. As I have said time and time again, I have been hearing about postal delays for years. Where there are delays, it makes sense to figure out why, and it makes even more sense to do something to fix them. And, finally, the false narrative that the Postal Service is running out of money and will cease operations before the election. Currently, the Postal Service has over $15 billion cash on hand, that's enough to keep it solvent until August 2021, and enough time for us to do the right thing. Like the Russia hoax and the impeachment sham, the Democrats have manufactured another scandal for political purposes.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx), a member of the Education Committee.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Ferguson), the chief deputy whip.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I have been concerned as a farmer and former commissioner of agriculture to learn in recent days that mysterious seeds have been sent from China to people in all 50 States encouraging them to plant these mysterious seeds. I say publicly what we are hearing from leaders in the U.S. Department of Agriculture and from my former colleagues in the State ranks, the commissioners, and directors of agriculture in all 50 States: If you get these seeds, do not--and I repeat--do not, plant these seeds. We have no idea what these seeds are. And these seeds could be potentially deadly to our ecosystem. We have seen so many shenanigans coming out of the China region. We don't know exactly who it is, who they are. But we have seen concerns in cybersecurity, and we have seen concerns in trade with currency manipulation, with stealing our patents, with stealing our intellectual property. This is one more concern. So, I have written a letter and asked the Secretary of Agriculture, who is investigating this, Sonny Perdue, to give me a briefing and give the Committee on Oversight and Reform and the Committee on Agriculture a briefing as to what is going on with this. We do know that there are some people, unknowing of the damages, who have planted these seeds. Again, I encourage people--and it is not just people in the agriculture community. It is just common citizens, random people, in all 50 States who have gotten these seeds. This is something that I am concerned with as a leader in agriculture, someone who has spent my whole life involved in the agriculture industry, and I hope that I can utilize my position in the agriculture community and as the ranking Republican on the Committee on Oversight and Reform to be able to determine the genesis of these seeds, who sent these seeds, what their purpose was. If we need to hold those people accountable for trying to create mischief and disruption in our agriculture industry, then I hope that we can work hard to hold them accountable. I want to conclude my time today, Mr. Speaker, thanking my colleagues in Congress for their confidence to name me as ranking Republican of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. I take this position with a great amount of honor and humility. I understand the role of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. The Committee on Oversight and Reform was created to provide oversight. It was created to ensure the Federal Government is transparent and accountable to the taxpayers. We have seen an unprecedented amount of deficit spending in this body, too much spending. It is immoral what Congress has done over the last decade, with respect to the deficit and the national debt, to our children and grandchildren. Somebody in Congress needs to get the back of the taxpayers, and I pledge today that that somebody is going to be the House Oversight and Reform Committee, at least from the minority standpoint. My colleagues, my Republican colleagues on the committee, we are committed to defending the taxpayer, committed to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse. Unfortunately, for the past year-and-a-half, the Committee on Oversight and Reform has been focused on one thing, not oversight, not having the backs of the taxpayer. They have been focused on one thing, and that has been trying to embarrass the President of the United States, trying to use that committee as a political tool, as a subsidiary of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, to try to find something, anything, on Donald Trump. And I can say with confidence, after a year-and-a-half, they have failed. What we need to do, what I challenge my colleague, Chairwoman Maloney, to do is focus on the real purpose of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. There is no shortage of waste, fraud, and abuse in the Federal Government. There is no shortage of opportunities to find a lack of transparency and accountability in the massive bureaucracies that have been created by this body in the Federal Government. I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. I couldn't ask for a better committee than what we have, a committee roster. We have people on our side and the Democrat side who are committed to the real purpose of oversight and reform. I am looking forward to that. I, again, thank this body for the honor to serve in that capacity. I look forward to making a difference and getting the back of the forgotten Americans, the Americans who work hard, who go to work. They never stopped going to work because of the coronavirus. They go to work. They pay their taxes. They abide by the law. They don't destroy property. They go to church on Sundays. They do everything right, yet they are always forgotten in this body. Whether it is a government program, whether it is tax policy, whether it is the use of their hard-earned tax dollars, they are always forgotten. We are going to put them on the forefront, and we are going to get the backs of the taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the many individuals, businesses, and manufacturers in the First Congressional District of Kentucky who have dedicated their time and efforts to helping our country fight COVID-19. Just months ago, there was a concern that America would face a drastic shortage of the medical supplies needed to fight the coronavirus. And while we may not be completely out of the woods, the efforts of so many caring citizens have been instrumental in providing needed supplies. I am proud to say that many of the citizens and companies who have assisted in this fight call south central and western Kentucky home. Garment factories, like Stitches Apparel from my home county in Gamaliel, Kentucky, WPT Nonwovens in Ohio County, Jomel Seams Reasonable in Cumberland and Russell Counties, and American Shield Apparel in Metcalfe County stepped up to manufacture face masks and gowns for frontline healthcare workers all across America. This is in addition to the countless citizens who have turned their kitchen tables into manufacturing centers for the face masks we have all become very familiar with. I am even more proud to say that some of our Nation's heroes from Fort Campbell military base have gone into Boston and New York to provide medical support when those areas were in desperate need of help. Like others, their contributions to our Nation will not be forgotten. Corn from Kentucky farmers has even been used to fight the spread with facilities like Commonwealth Agri-Energy in Christian County providing base ethanol for distilleries to provide hand sanitizer. I also honor a young lady from my hometown who went above and beyond. Carrie Beth Cropper, a native Monroe Countian and a registered nurse, volunteered to go to New York City at the height of the outbreak to care for those in need. Her willingness to put her fellow Americans first to help fight back against the virus speaks volumes about her character. All of our nurses, hospitals, and other frontline workers have been heroic in working under extremely challenging conditions. Their country has never needed them more, and they have certainly met the moment. Unfortunately, our country continues to suffer from the outbreak of this virus. But in many ways, the pandemic has brought out the best of America: Neighbor helping neighbor and communities coming together to support one another. Orestus Flowers 100th Birthday

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Orestus Flowers of the First Congressional District of Kentucky, who is turning 100 years old on September 7th. Mr. Flowers was born in Bow, Kentucky, which is in Cumberland County, and continues to reside in the First Congressional District. Mr. Flowers served in the Army for 3\1/2\ years and was stationed in the Philippines from 1942 to 1945. I stand with all Americans to congratulate him on years of bravery and sacrifice to preserve our safety and freedoms. On February 1, 1946, Mr. Flowers married Geraldine, and together they have three daughters. A true entrepreneur, he was responsible for bringing Houchens Markets to Burkesville in 1952 and served as manager for 32 years. Upon retiring from Houchens, he worked at Norris and New Funeral Home for the next 25 years. I join with everyone in Burkesville and throughout the Commonwealth who has had the privilege of knowing him and to celebrate his fearless spirit. I am honored to represent Mr. Flowers and wish him a very happy 100th birthday. Wanda Blackwell Retirement

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Wanda Blackwell on her retirement from the Webster County Senior Center, where she has served as director for the last 4 years. She is beloved by the seniors she cares for and their families because her devotion to serving others is evident in every effort she undertakes. Just a year ago, Webster County opened a new senior center that has already enriched the lives of so many and is evidence of the devotion Wanda and her team have for their fellow citizens. Whether she was serving or delivering meals, decorating and improving the center, or raising funds to expand their offerings and programming, she did it all with a smile on her face. Wanda lives by the saying, ``grow where God planted you,'' and has been a shining example of giving back to the local community. I join with Wanda's family, friends, and all those she has served throughout her time at the center to thank her for her outstanding efforts to better the lives of others, and I wish her many happy years of retirement. Law and Order in America

Mr. COMER. In recent weeks, American cities have been plagued by irresponsible, reckless violence and rioting. The violence in cities from Portland to Chicago has been out of control, requiring a Federal response to quell what has turned into full-on mob violence. This behavior has severe consequences for American life. Businesses destroyed, chaos and disruption, and unacceptable levels of violence. And what has the Democratic response been to violent outbreaks? Turning a blind eye to vandalism and destruction, along with a fresh round of calls to defund the police. At a time of rising violence, businesses being vandalized, and the lives of everyday citizens being disrupted, prominent Democratic politicians have sought to reduce the presence of American law enforcement. In calling efforts to defund the police a local decision, Speaker Pelosi has given a green light to mayors who have eagerly implemented that reckless movement. Thankfully, Federal law enforcement has stepped in to help out in cities where weak-kneed, incompetent mayors have failed to protect their citizens. Even though Federal agents have been shamelessly treated as enemies by far-left mayors, Federal reinforcements were necessary in the face of local failures. I am 100 percent in favor of peaceful assembly and protest. It is an American tradition for our citizens to speak out and to use our sacred First Amendment rights for good. And when there is legitimate police misconduct, like what we saw in Minneapolis, nonviolent protest is absolutely justified. However, the violence in our streets has been anything but peaceful. And when protestors start vandalizing and destroying property, including Federal courthouses, a line is crossed. We must have law and order and respect for the rule of law. Mr. Speaker, I hope my Democratic colleagues will join me in calling for just that. Stop pushing to defund the police. Stop condoning mob violence. Support peaceful protest, not out-of-control rioting. We can and we must have free expression in this country, but we also must have law and order when protest turns into rioting and threatens the safety of our communities. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus). Recognition of Former Legislative Directors

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus). I thank him for his service to this body, and I thank him for his friendship. He has been an institution here in Congress. He has been a good neighbor. He has made a difference not just in southern Illinois, but in the United States of America, and I want him to know how much I appreciate his mentoring, his friendship, the work we have done together to help benefit the Ohio River-Mississippi River region of America. Mr. Speaker, I will say that he has left big shoes to fill. I congratulate him on his upcoming retirement, and I appreciate everything that he has done for me, for our colleagues, and for the United States of America. Mysterious Seeds in the United States

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the bicentennial celebration of Franklin First United Methodist Church in Franklin, Kentucky. Shortly after the town was surveyed in 1820, the Union Church was established where Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists would all hold services. Franklin First would go on to have an incredible two- hundred-year history, producing numerous servant leaders and engaging in missionary work that would spread beyond the 1st District. Members of this church have proven to be steadfast leaders across the globe. In 1874, Mrs, Dorinda Duncan organized the first Children's Missionary Society in Kentucky, In 1887, Miss Nannie B. Gaines served as a missionary in Hiroshima, Japan, going on to become the first principal of the initial girls' school in Hiroshima. She laid the foundation for the modern 21st century educational institution of Hiroshima Jogakuin, which now encompasses kindergarten, junior high, high school and university students. John T. Tigert was named Bishop after obtaining his undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt University, where he was part of the university's inaugural graduating class. His brilliant leadership moved the church forward in numerous ways. His son, John J. Tigert, Jr., would continue his father's legacy of leadership by becoming a Rhodes Scholar, College Football Hall of Fame inductee and President of the University of Florida. To ensure the future growth of the church, Doug Wilson planted the idea of building a Christian Life Center that was completed in 1996. This building offered after-school programs for children and helped to instill the values of the church in the next generation. Franklin First has seen numerous congregates go on to be ordained as Methodist ministers or serve as local pastors. This track record of success demonstrates their desire to spread the lessons they learned at Franklin First beyond just their membership. The lessons they learned from Miss Nannie B. Gaines are still seen in the church through their international missionary work. The church routinely leads trips to Haiti and Honduras, and in 2020 they sponsored 41 educational scholarships for children from the region. Franklin First also participates in numerous local missionary projects through Room in the Inn and Good Samaritan, while also organizing an annual Trunk or Treat event that provides a safe place for local community children. Throughout the past 200 years, this church has faithfully served Simpson County in numerous ways. I am proud to recognize Franklin First United Methodist Church for the incredible work they have done not only in their community and state, but throughout the entire world.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Hice) for his great leadership on this issue. At a time when Speaker Pelosi is keeping Congress largely on the sidelines, it is unfortunate that we are spending precious work time debating blatantly unconstitutional legislation. Not only is this measure unconstitutional and dead on arrival in the Senate, but it should not be a priority for this body right now. Our Nation is facing a serious need for action. We need police reform that focuses on transparency and accountability, we need to support American workers as States safely reopen their communities and economies, and we need to ensure that money we have spent to fight the coronavirus is effectively guarded against waste, fraud, and abuse. Passing this measure today would signal a stunning lack of respect for the Constitution. Making Washington, D.C., a State would specifically violate the intentions of our Founding Fathers, who wanted the national seat of government to belong to no State. In fact, the Constitution specifically calls for Congress, not any State government, to have authority over the District serving as the seat of Federal Government. Granting statehood for Washington, D.C., requires a constitutional amendment, just as granting the District three electoral college votes required the ratification of the 23rd Amendment. It is time for Congress to get back to full-time work and take up the pressing issues facing our country, not playing unconstitutional games.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary career of Dr. Benny Lile who recently retired from 35 years of service as an educator in the public-school system. Throughout the last thirty-five years he has served as a substitute teacher, taught in the classroom, worked in central office, the Technology Service Center in Bowling Green, and finished a stellar career serving as the superintendent of Metcalfe County Schools for the last seven years. The span of roles shows how widely his passion for education runs in the public-school system. Through Dr. Lile's dedication he incorporated many activities that allowed his students to excel in the classroom. In 1988, he secured a grant that allowed the school to go from having two computers to a fifteen-computer lab--quite an accomplishment for a rural school during that time. Dr. Lile made the computer program Oregon Trail go from the computer screen to a real-life event, where the students dressed up in pioneer clothes and he even secured a horse to bring to school. I join with Dr. Lile's family and friends, as well as all those he has impacted during his years in the school system, in honoring his incredible career and devotion to education. I wish him the best as he begins the next phase of life and express my gratitude for his service to the 1st District of Kentucky.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, hypocrisy and irresponsibility are alive and well today in this Chamber. At the same time Nancy Pelosi is calling for oversight of the $3 trillion we have already spent, she is bringing up a reckless bill to spend $3 trillion more. Much of this bill has nothing to do with COVID-19. Instead, this bill is a radical Democrat wish list: permanent mail-in voting, amnesty and stimulus checks for illegal immigrants, and more incentives for Americans not to work. Across America, citizens are coming together to help their friends and neighbors. For all its faults, Congress did come together in a bipartisan way to pass numerous measures to fight this pandemic. But Speaker Pelosi has broken that spirit of cooperation. In choosing to play partisan politics and go at this one alone, she has set a terrible example for a nation in crisis. Instead of pausing the spending to evaluate our needs and engage with President Trump and the Senate, we are here today simply to appease the fringe elements of the Democratic Party.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Americans are suffering right now. Hospitals, families, and businesses are figuring out what their next step will be. But, instead of helping American families, Speaker Pelosi wants to set up a new, costly, unnecessary select committee. This is an outrageous attempt to yet again use Congress to smear President Trump in an election year, just like the impeachment charade a few months ago. I am all about oversight. We already have an Oversight Committee that is tasked with carrying out these very duties, and it is a very good committee, a quality committee made up of outstanding members from both sides of the aisle. This is yet another political game from Speaker Pelosi using tax dollars for political gain. Creating a new select committee is completely redundant. We must stop these games and, instead, focus on the real problems facing the American people. Creating an entirely new select committee is an irresponsible waste of time and resources that could be used elsewhere. Let's refocus on getting this country back on track and moving forward for the American people.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, my message to the American people affected by the crisis is simple: Help is on the way. This is not a perfect bill, and I am concerned about the $2 trillion price tag. But the American people need help, and this response to the present crisis will put money into the pockets of struggling workers and families. This response provides help for small business owners who are the lifeblood of our economy, and we are responding to rising healthcare needs with more supplies and financial aid for our struggling hospitals. I will cast a ``yes'' vote for this package in support of the medical personnel on the front lines of this current crisis. That includes heroes like the more than 200 medical personnel from the Fort Campbell Military Base in my district who are in New York to provide medical support. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill to help repair the damage caused by the coronavirus to our workers and small businesses, but any additional relief measures must focus on assisting Main Street businesses and working Americans.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Justin Mitchell of Franklin-Simpson Middle School, located in Franklin, Kentucky. As an 8th Grade Social Studies teacher, Justin received the American History Teacher of the Year Award from the Kentucky Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This prestigious honor is a testament to the professionalism Justin demands of himself every day and a recognition of the great influence he has had and will continue to have within Franklin-Simpson Middle School. Active at the state level, working to push education into the future, Justin serves as the Vice Chair of the Education Professional Standards Board and the Assessment and Accountability Council. He continues to organize enriching trips for students to Colonial Williamsburg, VA, and teach at Western Kentucky University's Center for Gifted Studies. He has committed his career to working with community leaders to improve opportunities for the next generation and ushering in a brighter future for the Commonwealth. His impact on Simpson County, and public education, cannot be overstated. I've seen the great work Justin Mitchell has done, and join with all of my constituents in the 1st Congressional District of Kentucky in congratulating him.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Crossroads Quartet for their 60th anniversary of vocalizing Southern Gospel music throughout Kentucky and other States. Founded in 1960 in Russell Springs, Kentucky, this fine group of constituents has now been active within the music world for 60 consecutive years. They have traveled thousands of miles, worn out four Dodge vans, and touched numerous lives. While some of the names and faces have changed, the inspiring mission of Crossroads Quartet has remained a constant. Today founding member Vernie McGaha, alongside Brian McGaha, Dave Powell, and Randy Hart, continues to fulfill the original calling of Crossroads Quartet. I am proud to be their voice in Washington and am confident that their musical ministry will be active for many years to come. Their decades of contributions are certainly deserving of recognition by this entire body.