Ben Cline

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Chairman, well, here we go again, another bait and switch by the Democrats. We have a great bill, the CREATES Act, that allows consumers to access cheaper generic drugs, driving down costs, saving Americans $3.9 billion over 10 years. What have they done with it? They have stuck in poison pills designed to take choice away from Americans when it comes to their health insurance plans. As lawmakers, we owe it to Americans to protect their rights to make their own decisions, particularly as it relates to healthcare. The fact that we are here debating even further reducing these options available to Americans proves that we are not keeping up our end of the bargain. ObamaCare created a healthcare paradigm that aimed to take away options from Americans and give that authority to the government. As a result, premiums are skyrocketing, with the highest in the country being in my home State of Virginia. President Trump, thankfully, has stepped in to allow flexible, short- term, limited-duration plans to help those in my district, where my constituents are pleading for more choices in health insurance. This administration is simply trying to give more options to Americans in this desert of choice. We should be creating an environment that encourages more choices for individuals and families. This includes a more individualized market, particularly with regard to employer-sponsored health insurance. It also means increasing pricing transparency at the point of sale to avoid surprise medical billing, which the President championed last week. Finally, we should address consolidation in the healthcare system through increased enforcement from the FTC and the DOJ under the Sherman Antitrust Act. This legislation is the height of arrogance. Government knows best, yet again. The American people know nothing about their own choices when it comes to health insurance. To double down on ObamaCare and take away the few options that are left for constituents, and giving those choices to those who caused this failure in the first place, the Federal Government, is beyond offensive to American citizens. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in rejecting this legislation. Reject this idea that government knows best, and stand up for affordable and accessible health insurance for all Americans.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Rutherford for yielding and putting together this event this evening. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the men and women in law enforcement who serve our communities, States, and Nation with honor and bravery. These are our friends and neighbors who willingly face danger in order to protect their fellow man and make our cities better places in which to live. Just this week in Lynchburg, Virginia, I joined several hundred with the police chief, mayor, and members of law enforcement from around the region to honor the lives of two law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the last year. Virginia State Trooper Lucas Dowell, who was shot while serving a search warrant, was only 28. Winchester Police Department Officer Hunter Edwards, who died in a vehicle collision while responding to a fight in Winchester, was only 30. As this week draws to a close, I ask that all Americans remember the more than 150 officers this year who died in the line of duty and consider the danger that all officers face each day in order to keep Americans safe. Your lives are a shining example of what is right in our world. By getting up each day and donning a uniform and badge, you are making a difference in our communities across this great Nation. Every single day, you have our gratitude.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark the 80th anniversary of the Roanoke Tribune newspaper in Roanoke, Virginia. Founded by Reverend F.E. Alexander in 1939, the Roanoke Tribune has played an important role in the community of Roanoke, representing the African-American community as it fought racial discrimination in the Roanoke Valley in the 20th Century. Their tradition of strong, independent journalism which holds leaders and the powerful accountable continues today under the leadership of Reverend Alexander's daughter, Claudia A. Whitworth, and his grandson, Stanley A. Hale. Congratulations to the Roanoke Tribune on its 80 years, and here is wishing them many more.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam 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. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I urge that the Speaker would immediately schedule this important bill that will save lives.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize our guest chaplain, the Reverend Jonathan Falwell of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. Reverend Falwell has long been a leader in his community, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the United States. His sermons are delivered to thousands each week at Thomas Road, on television, and through the internet. Jonathan Falwell followed in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Jerry Falwell, as senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church. Jerry Falwell was founder of Liberty University, one of the largest Christian universities in the United States. In addition to his role as senior pastor at Thomas Road, Reverend Jonathan Falwell also serves as executive vice president of spiritual affairs at Liberty. On this National Day of Prayer, I extend my thanks to Jonathan Falwell for his devotion to Christ, his family, and his community.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise alongside Rep. Michael Burgess and Rep. Van Taylor to honor Kim Frankson, Jess Johnson, and Laurie Ortel of Ashley Elementary School in the Frisco Independent School District. At the end of last year, these North Texas school administrators used quick thinking and teamwork to help save a life 1,200 miles away. In December 2018, Ashley Elementary School principal Kim Frankson, assistant principal Laurie Ortel, and counselor Jess Johnson received a concerning message from a student via the STOPit app, an online platform designed to allow students and parents to send anonymous reports of bullying to school officials. The North Texas educators soon discovered that the student was in Waynesboro, Virginia--more than 1,000 miles from Frisco--and sprang into action. As Laurie Ortel said in an interview with the Dallas Morning News: ``We didn't know her, but in that moment, she became ours.'' In spite of the distance, Jess Johnson began communicating with the student, who was threatening suicide, on the STOPit app. At the same time, Kim Frankson and Laurie Ortel attempted to contact the Waynesboro Police Department and administrators at the student's school, which already had closed for winter break. Thanks to the efforts of the North Texas teachers, local authorities in Virginia were able to locate the endangered teenager and provide lifesaving assistance. Thankfully, the student's message for help reached the right people. On February 14, 2019, the Dallas Morning News published an article telling their story. In recognition of their lifesaving efforts, Kim Frankson, Laurie Ortel, and Jess Johnson were honored at the Frisco ISD board meeting on April 8, 2019. They were presented the inaugural Helping Hands Life Saver Award from the makers of the STOPit mobile app, and have received well-earned praise from Americans in North Texas, Virginia, and around the country. As Members of Congress representing Frisco, Texas and Waynesboro, Virginia, we extend our sincere gratitude to these North Texas educators for their extraordinary work and dedication. There is no doubt that they have touched the lives of students in Frisco, Waynesboro, and beyond.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. CLINE. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLINE. Madam Chair, I would state to the esteemed chairman of the committee that we have proceeded without offsets for many, many years on many, many things, and that is one of the reasons why we are over $20 trillion in debt right now. This House must exercise fiscal restraint and bring its budget back into some semblance of order and exercise responsibility. And so an offset is responsible, is appropriate, does not exist, and was never discussed. The chairman talks about experts. We heard from no expert at the committee level as to the need for the additional $20 million in STOP grants. Madam Chair, I ask my colleagues to oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLINE. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment, which increases the authorization of STOP grants from $40 million to $60 million. The amendment does not have an offset from any other account. We had a hearing on this important legislation in committee. The gentlewoman is correct in stating that domestic violence is a problem and we must take action to confront it. It was disappointing that the legislation was taken from what was a bipartisan consensus and turned into a partisan document that went far beyond the underlying legislation which was allowed to expire. We had a hearing, and no witness that I recall advocated, during committee, for increasing the authorization level for STOP grants. STOP grants do perform a vital service. In fact, one of my first jobs out of law school was prosecuting under a STOP grant, prosecuting domestic violence cases in Rockingham County in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In the markup in committee, not a single Democrat offered any amendment to increase the authorization level by an additional $20 million. There has been no reason given to add an additional 50 percent to this specific program as opposed to any program. So I would urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. CLINE. Madam Chairwoman, I would answer the gentlewoman by saying that we are in agreement that domestic violence is a problem, and regardless of who you are in this country, you deserve protection if you are a victim of domestic violence. No matter, woman, man, gay, straight, you deserve protection if you are a victim of domestic violence, and we need to provide adequate protection. Unfortunately, this bill does not provide that protection when you are allowing environments to be created where victims are at risk of being revictimized, whether it is through the legal process, or through the shelter process. We have problems with this bill overall. But I commend the gentlewoman for her amendment, because it does ensure that the laws regarding immigration in this country are complied with. I wish that we had gone further. I offered an amendment on another bill at committee to ensure that ICE was notified whenever an illegal immigrant committed a crime involving a firearm so that they could be deported quicker. I wish that that had been attempted in this legislation as well. ICE deserves to be notified when someone is convicted of a crime of domestic violence if that defendant is illegal. So while we could not go further, I thank the gentlewoman for offering the amendment. I do not oppose it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of retiring Bedford County, Virginia, Sheriff Mike Brown. The county's top law enforcement officer since 1996, Sheriff Brown has devoted nearly 50 years to protecting the citizens of his home county and the Commonwealth of Virginia. In his time as sheriff, Mike has led efforts to modernize the department and expand cooperation with surrounding departments. These efforts led to the 1998 creation of the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, an organization whose purpose is locating and prosecuting individuals who prey on our children. In the most recent reporting year, the task force arrested 227 individuals accused of crimes against children and identified 127 child victims. Over 20 years, an untold number of children have been protected and hundreds of predators have been put behind bars because of Sheriff Brown's efforts to establish the task force. In 2017, Sheriff Brown was appropriately named National Sheriffs' Association Sheriff of the Year. Madam Speaker, I thank Sheriff Brown for his service to the citizens of Bedford County and all of Virginia, and I wish him and his family all the best during a well-earned retirement. His service leaves a legacy we can all be proud of.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Chair, I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia for the time. Madam Chair, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1112. This legislation is an attack on the constitutional rights of Americans. This bill puts incredible roadblocks in the way of law- abiding citizens seeking to exercise their Second Amendment rights that are guaranteed to them in the Constitution. We should be focused on enforcing the current laws that we have on the books instead of passing Federal mandates that stifle freedom. This bill creates a bureaucratic maze that will allow the Federal Government to sit on its hands and force citizens to submit formal petitions to the Attorney General when they are trying to legally purchase a firearm, to ask permission to exercise their constitutional right. What other constitutional right would you suggest we put this level of restriction on? The freedom of the press? The freedom of religion? Should we start having the Federal Government review every media outlet's story for 10 days before they can be published? before a church can meet for worship? I don't think so. It is my hope that we will soon move forward with solutions, solutions that will actually make a difference for hardworking Americans across this great country. When I was sworn in as a Member of the House earlier this year, I saw great potential for Congress to come together and advance solutions to our Nation's greatest problems. Instead, I find myself standing here on the floor of this Chamber fighting for the basic liberties that our Founding Fathers sought to guarantee for every American. Madam Chair, I will continue to stand and continue to fight each and every day, and I urge the House to reject this misguided legislation.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I was disappointed in the passage of H.R. 8 just a few moments ago, which will do nothing to address the rash of mass shootings that have occurred across this country in recent years but will place impediments in the way of law-abiding citizens acquiring firearms and in defense of their Second Amendment rights. But I was pleased that the motion to recommit was adopted. That motion was based on an amendment I offered in committee to require the national instant background system to report to ICE when an illegal immigrant tries to obtain a firearm in violation of current law. I was pleased that it received 220 votes. I have drafted it as a standalone bill. I will offer it for cosponsorship. I hope my colleagues will join me in cosponsoring the bill and ensuring those not here legally who try to purchase a gun are reported to ICE and deported before they commit additional crimes.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Chair, I want to thank the previous speaker, the Speaker of the House, reminding us all that it is California where Michael Bloomberg and the gun control advocates have established their utopia of a land without guns. And what has it led us to? With some of the strictest gun control laws in the land, we have some of the worst incidents of gun violence in the country. Gun control measures do not address the problems of gun violence, and this bill will not address gun violence. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 8. The legislation is an attempt to take away our Second Amendment rights, hidden under the guise that we will see a reduction in violent crime. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle claim the bill would save lives, but nothing in this bill would have stopped any of the recent mass casualty shootings that have occurred in our country. The only thing this bill does is limit the Second Amendment rights of law- abiding citizens. They will tell you this bill closes loopholes; however, the loophole that they believe exists is private gun ownership, and what they really want is to regulate the private transfer of firearms. If my neighbor is in trouble and needs to borrow a firearm to protect his family, I should be allowed to loan that firearm to my neighbor so that he can protect himself and his family. This is not something we should need to go to the Federal Government to get permission to do. The Second Amendment does not say that, after you get permission from the government, your right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Our Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution to protect us from the government and gave individuals the Second Amendment to protect themselves. I carry this Constitution every day on the campaign trail asphalt. I carry it with me every day now to remind myself of those protections that were given to us--not by government, but by God. This bill is nothing more than an attempt to advance the agenda of radical gun-grabbers and lay the foundation for a national gun registration scheme. Mr. Chair, I urge the House to reject this misguided legislation so we can begin having real discussions about ways to reduce crime across this great Nation.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Arizona for the time, and thank him for bringing this issue to the forefront. Madam Speaker, I am distressed by the lack of numbers in the Chamber right now because this truly is the greatest threat to the security of this Nation that we face. When I ran for office last fall, I promised the citizens of Virginia's Sixth Congressional District that I would reintroduce 4 words to Washington: ``We can't afford it.'' These are four words that have been needed to have been repeated over the last 22 years, as the last time a Federal budget with a surplus was signed into law was 1997. In Virginia, where I served in the House of Delegates until last year, we are required to balance our budget each year. And because we have placed a priority on fiscal responsibility, Virginia is frequently listed among the best states in which to do business. In contrast, the Federal Government has an outstanding public debt of more than $22 trillion. Every year, since 1997, Congress has failed to maintain a fiscally responsible budget and, instead, has relied too much on raising the debt ceiling. Because of this practice, on August 5, 2011, the credit rating of the United States was reduced by Standard & Poor's from AAA to AA+, and has remained at that level ever since. Virginia, through its fiscal responsibility, has maintained its AAA bond rating, one of only a few States to have that honor. Not only is the current practice of not passing a balanced budget fiscally irresponsible, it poses a threat to our national security. As part of his National Security Strategy, President Trump has highlighted the need to reduce the national debt through fiscal responsibility, and I commend him for it. In September 2011, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Michael Mullen warned: ``I believe the single biggest threat to our national security is debt.'' And at that time, our national debt was close to $15 trillion. Now, almost 10 years later, our national debt has increased by $7 trillion, a 46 percent increase. Madam Speaker, I am proud to stand with Congressman Biggs, my fellow cosponsors, and a bipartisan group of national security leaders, in support of this resolution: Recognizing that the national debt is, indeed, a threat to the national security of the United States; Recognizing that deficits are unsustainable, irresponsible, and dangerous; and Committing Congress to restoring regular order in the appropriations process and addressing the fiscal crisis faced by the United States. The future of our great republic depends on it.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Lynchburg, Virginia, native and Medal of Honor recipient, Desmond Doss, on what would be his 100th birthday. An Army Medic, Pfc. Doss was presented the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award, for his heroic actions during the infamous World War II Battle of Okinawa. According to his Medal of Honor Citation, ``As our troops gained the summit, a heavy concentration of artillery, mortar and machinegun fire crashed into them, inflicting approximately 75 casualties and driving the others back. Pfc. Doss refused to seek cover and remained in the fire-swept area with the many stricken, lowering them one by one to the edge of the cliff into friendly hands.'' Though seriously injured himself, Doss spurned an initial rescue attempt seeing a more critically wounded man nearby. Awaiting the return of litter bearers, Doss was again injured yet crawled 300 yards to safety at an aid station. ``Through his outstanding bravery and unflinching determination in the face of desperately dangerous conditions, Pfc. Doss saved the lives of many soldiers,'' the citation read. ``His name became a symbol throughout the 77th Infantry Division for outstanding gallantry far above and beyond the call of duty.'' On the date of what would be his 100th birthday, I take this occasion to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Pfc. Desmond Doss

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 150, the Grant Reporting Efficiency and Agreements Transparency Act. Madam Speaker, in 1788, Patrick Henry spoke at the Virginia Constitutional Convention, where he said: ``The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.'' Transparency in government is an important principle for the preservation of our Republic, and it has been a priority for me during my tenure in the Virginia House of Delegates, where I was proud to sponsor legislation to put the entire State budget in a searchable online database. In a similar vein, H.R. 150 would require that data on more than $600 billion in Federal grants be standardized and published on a single online portal. This is bipartisan legislation that would modernize the way the Federal Government does business by simplifying grant reporting information into a searchable, more manageable system. Nonprofit, State and local governments, and small businesses will no longer be forced to spend meaningful work hours on filling out duplicative paperwork. In return, this will not only make the grant reporting process more transparent but will make it more efficient and accessible to everyday Americans, thus saving taxpayer dollars and helping to fulfill the vision of another Virginian, Thomas Jefferson, who in his first inaugural said: ``A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.'' Madam Speaker, I support this bill and urge its passage.