Charles Dent

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. I do want to commend Mr. Fitzpatrick for his diligence and his attentiveness to his constituency. I know he feels very sincerely about this particular amendment. It is, of course, disturbing to hear adverse consequences of any drug or device, but we rely on the FDA to be the safety arbiter in these cases. The VA simply follows FDA's approval of drugs and devices. If anyone wants to go to the source on this, then that individual should work through the Agriculture Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the Food and Drug Administration. But I believe it is not the proper role for Congress to act as doctors in this case, substituting what appears to be anecdotal evidence for the considered judgment of teams of independent doctors and physicians. We also shouldn't influence the marketing of birth control drugs and devices by targeting one particular manufacturer. Again, I do understand my very good friend and colleague's sincere desire based on his conversations with constituents, but at the same time, I do think that we should let the medical experts determine the efficacy or the safety of a particular device in this case. So, again, I have to rise in opposition. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop).

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

Mr. DENT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition, although I have no objection.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Chairman, again, I have no objection to the gentleman's amendment. He offered the same amendment last year, and it passed by voice vote. So I certainly urge adoption of the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Chairman, I insist on my point of order.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Chair, I make a point of order against the amendment because it proposes to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriation bill and, accordingly, violates clause 2 of rule XXI. The rule states in pertinent part: ``An amendment to a general appropriation bill shall not be in order if changing existing law.'' The amendment gives affirmative direction in effect. So I would ask for a ruling from the Chair.

Mr. DENT. Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to bring to the House's attention the 275th Anniversary of Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church located in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County. The church is a shared ministry congregation of the Lutheran and United Church of Christ denomination and has maintained that structure since its origins as a little, log church in 1741. The original church was alternatively referred to as the ``Schmaltzgass Church,'' ``the Little Lehigh Church,'' or the ``Manguntsche Church.'' It was a place of spiritual and cultural fellowship for the Lutheran and Reformed practitioners in the surrounding community. During their 275 years in Lehigh County, the men and women of the Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church have remained active and involved participants within the area. They provide both spiritual and physical aid to those in need and are part of the fabric of our community. Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church's congregation provides strong support to those in need through Lehigh County's Conference of Churches and the Allentown Ecumenical Food Bank. Through their mission work and community engagement, they provide great service and support to those who are most in need. I extend my thanks to the men and women of Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church for all that they do on a daily basis to make their church, their community, and Lehigh County a better, kinder place. I wish the congregation continued peace, joy, and fellowship on this happy anniversary.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, in 1741, 275 years ago, a small group of Moravian settlers founded a community along the banks of the Monocacy Creek in an area about 60 miles north of Philadelphia. In recognition of their faith--and in the hope that they were establishing a community that would stand the test of time--they named their settlement Bethlehem. These Moravian settlers chose an excellent site for their settlement. Bethlehem quickly grew to become an important hub for commerce, industry and learning. It remains so to this day, and continues to evolve with the times while still retaining strong ties to its heritage and founders. Bethlehem also remains a rich melting pot and serves as a shining example for other cities. Many of its citizens share a connection to the former Bethlehem Steel plant, which was once the number two steel producer in the United States. While time and circumstances resulted in Bethlehem Steel's closure, the people of Bethlehem have proven themselves to be as resilient and strong as the steel they forged. The City has continued to prosper, and it consistently appears on lists of the best places to live in the country. Now with a population over 75,000, a diversified industrial base, and a unique blend of culture and commerce, Bethlehem is celebrating its 275th Anniversary. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to serve and represent the people of Bethlehem, and I offer them my sincerest congratulations on their numerous achievements over the course of their city's long and storied past. May their city long continue to grow and to prosper.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to bring to the House's attention the 150th Anniversary of ESSROC Cement, a company deeply rooted in the foundation of Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. In 1866, David O. Saylor, a resident of Allentown, purchased 30 acres of property in Coplay, PA. He, along with Esias Rehrig and Adam Woolever, chartered the Coplay Cement Company. Saylor, an innovator, developed a process that allowed Portland type cement to be made in the United States. Saylor patented the process, and by 1900, Coplay Cement was providing over 70 percent of the Portland Cement used in America. Coplay Cement provided the material that became the building blocks of the massive infrastructure expansion and city-building that occurred in post-Civil War America. Paris-based Ciments Francais ultimately acquired Coplay Cement in 1976. The 1990s were a time of great activity for the company. It adopted the ESSROC name in 1990. In 1992, Italcementi became ESSROC's parent company. Now, 150 years later, ESSROC has operations across four continents. In North America, the Nazareth-based company has the ability to produce over 6.5 million metric tons of cement annually. To this day, Saylor Cement remains one of their main product lines. ESSROC has demonstrated itself as an impressive business, based not only on its corporate metrics, but more importantly on its commitment to the greater Lehigh Valley. ESSROC is a valued manufacturer in our community, a provider of good jobs with good wages, and a respected corporate citizen. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to offer my congratulations to the men and women who work at ESSROC both in the Lehigh Valley area and across the United States. May they enjoy continued prosperity.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, on roll call no. 130, I regretfully missed this vote due to illness. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to bring the 50th Anniversary of DeSales University to the attention of the House. Named in honor of Saint Francis de Sales, DeSales was founded after Bishop Joseph McShea organized a survey of Catholic education opportunities in the Allentown Diocese. The study indicated there was a need for a Catholic College in the Lehigh Valley area of the Allentown Diocese. The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales broke ground for the new college in May of 1964 on a 500 acre tract located in Lehigh County's Upper Saucon Township. DeSales accepted its first class of freshmen in September 1965 under its original name--Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales. The ensuing decades brought growth--both in the number of students enrolled and in the curriculum offered. In March 2000, Allentown College proudly became DeSales University. Currently, DeSales has a total enrollment of over 3,000 traditional, graduate and evening students and nearly 1,600 full-time undergraduate students. The school offers 41 majors and 31 minors and boasts over 100 faculty members. DeSales plays an integral role in the Lehigh Valley's educational network and within the community. DeSales' graduates have enjoyed tremendous success across the fields of business, medicine, philosophy, literature, science and teaching. It is my pleasure to congratulate the students, alumni, faculty and staff of DeSales University as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary. It is my hope that a future member of this House will be able to enter a congratulatory record on their behalf fifty years from now as well.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the 150th Anniversary of Lebanon Valley College. Lebanon Valley College was founded on February 23, 1866. For 150 years it has delivered quality liberal arts educational instruction to its students. During this time, the school has grown to become a vital and vibrant part of the culture and community of Lebanon County and of Annville Township. Lebanon Valley College currently offers thirty-six undergraduate majors to its student body of approximately sixteen hundred undergraduate students. At various times, the U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review and Forbes have all placed the school on their respective lists recognizing America's best colleges. Mr. Speaker, I warmly extend my congratulations to the students, faculty, employees, administrators and alumni of Lebanon Valley College on the happy occasion of their Sesquicentennial. I extend my congratulations to Lebanon Valley College for its outstanding record of successfully providing so many young men and women with a strong liberal arts education, and wish continued growth and success for the College and all of its students.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the 50th Anniversary of Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC). LCCC was founded in 1966 and for 50 years it has delivered quality, affordable two-year degree course programs, certificate and specialized diploma programs to students from Lehigh, Carbon, Schuylkill and other counties. The College has an enrollment of over 7,100 students and offers more than 90 programs of study. The Lehigh Valley community has long recognized the outstanding asset we have in Lehigh Carbon Community College. The College gives students a great start for gaining the skills they'll need to find and succeed in decent, good-paying careers and provides the employers of the region with skilled and well-trained workers. Mr. Speaker, I warmly extend my congratulations to the students, faculty, employees, administrators and alumni of Lehigh Carbon Community College on the happy occasion of their Semicentennial. Thank you for providing the Lehigh Valley with diverse educational opportunities that provide a firm foundation for solid, fulfilling careers.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the fiscal year 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act, legislation that will provide for much-needed budgetary certainty, stability, and predictability. I would certainly like to commend Speaker Ryan, Chairman Rogers, Ranking Member Lowey, and my good friend and partner, ranking member of the subcommittee, Sanford Bishop for all their hard work, and also for all the staff who did so much work behind the scenes to help make this bill what it is. While this bill has many excellent provisions throughout its entirety, as chairman of the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, I can say with confidence that this is an especially good bill for our veterans, servicemembers, and military families. It will ensure those who have served in the defense of our great Nation receive the full benefits, care, and support that they deserve, and it will help to maintain our military's readiness both at home and abroad. The bill will ensure quality housing for nearly 2 million military families and improve the quality and safety of our bases, defense installations, and military monuments and cemeteries throughout the world. It will provide a 9.8 percent increase for VA programs, including a 10.5 percent increase in VA medical services to provide care and treatment for approximately 7 million veterans. It will also allow veterans with hepatitis C to be treated and cured, and it will help the VA to address critical issues like mental health care and reducing the rates of veteran suicide and homelessness. It will also provide funding needed to reduce the VA claims backlog and move us closer to establishing an integrated electronic health records system. It will increase congressional oversight of the VA to counter the instances of gross mismanagement and excessive project cost overruns that have troubled the VA at facilities across the country, the Aurora, Colorado, facility being the most egregious example. For these reasons and many more, Mr. Speaker, I support the legislation and encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same. Again, I want to thank Ranking Member Bishop, Mrs. Lowey, Chairman Rogers, and all the staff who helped put this bill together.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to my friend Mr. Mulvaney's amendment. He is a friend. I do want to say that this amendment puts not only a cap, but statutory quotas on industry sectors for the full 5-year authorization. It ignores market forces. The amendment would mirror the French quota system in their export credit agency, which is ineffective. Rapidly developing industries like unconventional gas--and I represent a gas State, where we do a lot of Marcellus shale--and the industrial Internet would be disadvantaged under this policy. It creates incentives for businesses to rush to be the first in the door and get under the arbitrary cap, resulting in missed opportunities and inequitable treatment of U.S. exporters and U.S. workers. This would make the Bank ineffective and unable to fill in the gaps in the private sector or to help American businesses compete on a level playing field. I also have to note, too, that I suspect that many of the amendments that we are seeing here tonight are not designed to make the bill better, but to simply take it down. As I said, Mr. Mulvaney is my friend, but I suspect if his amendment is adopted, he probably still wouldn't be inclined to support the legislation, unless he tells me otherwise.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I certainly rise in support of this legislation that would reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. In my district alone, the Bank's activities have supported thousands of jobs and over $600 million in export sales. The financing provided by the Ex-Im has provided critical support to a wide array of industries in Pennsylvania, ensuring that products ranging from major energy components to help LNG exports, to locomotives, to cement equipment, to computers, to electronics, to aircraft are able to continue to be manufactured by Pennsylvania workers. Developing countries, as we know, don't have very well formed capital markets, and they need this financing to help them buy American products. As our sole credit agency, the Bank provides the security U.S. firms need to access burgeoning markets. It strengthens our trade balance, and it helps to sustain our global market share. It does all this while still returning money back to the U.S. Treasury. Importantly, this bill incorporates essential reforms that will significantly improve the Bank's risk management and transparency and provide our small businesses with an even greater share of lending support. For those who talk about Ex-Im Bank creating winners and losers, I would argue that, by letting the Bank's authority lapse, we have indeed created winners and losers. The losers are now American job creators. The winners are countries like China, Germany, France, Brazil, and the U.K. that continue to support their exporters and welcome the opportunity to increase their market share and domestic manufacturing base in the absence of U.S. competition. Let's not unilaterally disarm our ability to assist our exporters. Let's show the American people that we continue to govern in a bipartisan and rational manner. Let's pass this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge we support this legislation.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce a House resolution expressing support for today, October 8th, as National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day. Although we are just now developing and implementing new applications for hydrogen fuel cells, this technology has a long and proud history that goes back to the Apollo space missions. Fuel cells utilize hydrogen without combustion to generate electricity in a way that is clean, efficient, and quiet. Today, mobile and stationary fuel cell systems produce clean power for vehicles, forklifts, utilities, businesses, and homes. Stationary fuel cells provide resilient back-up power sources for institutions that cannot afford to lose power, such as hospitals. They are increasingly being used as primary electrical sources as well. Air Products and Chemicals, located in my district, is in the process of deploying 40 hydrogen fueling stations to support the recently announced rollout of hydrogen powered vehicles from several major auto manufacturers. I have had the opportunity both to drive and fuel these vehicles, and I can say from experience that the process is safe, easy, and surprisingly unremarkable. It's just like driving a traditional car, except the only emission it produces is water. In closing, I am proud to stand with the innovators of this growing industry as we recognize today as National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of passing a clean continuing resolution, the one the Senate sent over to us. We should do that immediately. It would be utterly reckless to let the government shut down for any reason, regardless of one's feelings about Planned Parenthood. Whether you like them or not isn't the point. We should never shut the government down over that or, frankly, any other issue at this time. It is imperative that we pass this CR so that it will give us the time and space we need to enter into a broader budget agreement, hopefully, for this fiscal year and the next and so that we can then, also, pass the appropriations bills. As our very fine Chairman Rogers mentioned, I am the chair of the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. This CR is essential to making sure that veterans' services go uninterrupted. It also makes sure that we can continue moving forward on many of the projects that are ongoing within the VA system through the anomalies. Nevertheless, we need to move forward on this for that reason. Also, I want to make a point that we need to stop lurching from one budget crisis to the next. The events of the last few weeks have been very dismaying to me, personally. That said, we are not going to have a government shutdown, and that is good news, but we need to get on with the business of this budget agreement. Also, I wanted to point out--I heard my friend and colleague from Connecticut made a comment about biomedical research--in the bill that we had passed out of the Labor, Health, and Human Services Subcommittee, we actually did increase funding for the National Institutes of Health by $1.1 billion. I do hope that, in the event that we do come to a budget agreement and move the appropriations bills, we will be able to see an increase in funding for the NIH. We will be able to provide for our veterans and, in my case, also the military construction projects. Also, our friends who are serving overseas, our men and women serving overseas in the Armed Forces, are very much depending on us to do the right thing, to pass appropriations bills, a long-term continuing resolution, not the one we are voting on today. If we are to do one after December 11, it would have real impacts on our force readiness and the ability for our troops and our men and women overseas to do the jobs that we have asked them to do. So for all these reasons, I am urging people to vote for this CR today, keep the government functioning, do our duty, and then set up a process where we can complete the appropriations process in December and take care of the responsibilities that have been entrusted to us. I want to thank Chairman Rogers and, also, Ranking Member Lowey for their strong leadership on the Appropriations Committee. They are doing all that they are doing to try to help us work together and make sure that Congress maintains its power of the purse and does exactly what we promised the American people we would do, and that would be to govern.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Alexa Iannace on her selection as one of ten 2015 National Young Women of Distinction. This is an honor given by Girl Scouts of the USA to young women who have earned their Gold Award, the highest achievement attainable for a Girl Scout. Alexa recently graduated from Emmaus High School. She earned her Gold Award for her documentary on child pornography, which she created with input from members of law enforcement and victims' advocates. She screened her film for an audience that included students studying criminal justice and social work at local area universities, as well as a cyber-crimes taskforce comprised of 10 law enforcement agencies including the US Department of Homeland Security and Lehigh County's Bar Association for District Attorneys. Alexa's commitment to service and community extends beyond the Scouting. She participated in Keystone Girls State, is a recipient of the Union League of Philadelphia Good Citizenship Award and won the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award contest for Emmaus High School. Alexa is now furthering her education at American University in Washington D.C. where she is majoring in International Relations and Political Science. She has already been accepted by the school's prestigious Leadership program. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Alexa Iannace, and her parents Margaret and Paul, for her accomplishments in earning Girl Scout's highest award, being named as one of 2015's National Young Women of Distinction, and for giving back to her community.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleague Representative Ryan Costello in celebrating the life of and remembering DeLight Breidegam, Jr. If you have a Deka battery in your car, your motorcycle, or tractor, it is the offspring of a product manufactured by his company, East Penn Manufacturing, and developed by DeLight and his business partner, Karl Gasche. DeLight started his business with his father at the age of 20. He and his father, DeLight, Sr., worked tirelessly, both at their small company and at part-time jobs, to help make ends meet. Through their tenacious talent, DeLight grew a business that now employs over 7,000 people in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and beyond. I just wanted to say it was an honor for me to know this great man. He drove me around his battery empire. He showed me his farmhouse, and I said: ``How did this business begin, DeLight?'' He said: ``Well, my father sent me out in the backyard to fix the battery in the tractor.'' I said: ``DeLight, I am just glad he didn't send you out there to go shovel manure. We would have a fertilizer empire right here in this community.'' Nevertheless, he was an extraordinary man, generous, kind, caring. He supported universities--like Moravian College--Lehigh Valley Hospital, and so many other charities. I wanted to pay tribute to the life and memory of DeLight Breidegam, Jr.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill and the underlying Iran nuclear agreement. Despite entering these negotiations from a position of strength, the deal before us fails to achieve the goal of preventing Iran's capacity to develop a nuclear weapon. It simply contains or manages Iran's nuclear program. By agreeing to a lax enforcement and inspection regime and fanciful, unrealistic ``snap back'' sanctions, the Administration has accepted that Iran should remain one year away from a nuclear bomb. I am not prepared to accept that. The sanctions relief will provide Iran with billions of dollars-- funds that will bolster the Revolutionary Guard and non-state militant groups. This deal ends the conventional arms embargo and the prohibition on ballistic missile technology. Not only will this result in conventional arms flowing to groups like Hezbollah, it concedes the delivery system for a nuclear bomb. This agreement will provide Iran with a nuclear infrastructure, a missile delivery system, and the funds to pay for it all. By the way, the ``I'' in ``ICBM'' means ``intercontinental.'' I don't believe that New Zealand and Mexico are the intended targets. The target would be us. This deal cripples and shatters our current notion of nuclear non- proliferation. If Iran can enrich uranium, which they can do under this agreement, their Gulf Arab neighbors will likely do the same. I do not want a nuclear arms race in the Middle East--a region of state instability and irrational non-state actors. And how will deterrence work under this scenario? I don't want to find out. We should not reward the Ayatollahs with billions of dollars and sophisticated weapons in exchange for temporary and unenforceable nuclear restrictions. Mr. Speaker, I have always supported a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue, but this is a dangerously weak agreement, and I urge my colleagues to reject it.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill and the underlying Iran nuclear agreement. Despite entering into these negotiations from a position of strength--that would be the United States--the deal before us fails to achieve the goal of preventing Iran's capacity to develop a nuclear weapon. It simply contains or manages Iran's nuclear program. By agreeing to a lax enforcement and inspections regime and fanciful, unrealistic snapback sanctions, the administration has accepted that Iran should remain 1 year away from a nuclear bomb. I am not prepared to accept that. The sanctions relief will provide Iran with billions of dollars of funds that will bolster the Revolutionary Guard and nonstate militant groups. The deal ends the conventional arms embargo and the prohibition on ballistic missile technology. Not only will this result in conventional arms flowing to groups like Hezbollah, it concedes the delivery system for a nuclear bomb. This agreement will provide Iran with nuclear infrastructure, a missile delivery system, and the funds to pay for it all. And, by the way, the I in ICBM means ``intercontinental.'' I don't believe that New Zealand and Mexico are the intended targets. That would be us. This deal cripples and shatters the current notion of nuclear nonproliferation. If Iran can enrich uranium, which they can under this agreement, their Gulf Arab neighbors will likely want to do the same. I do not want a nuclear arms race, a nuclearized Middle East, a region of state instability in irrational nonstate actors. Someone explain to me how deterrence works under that scenario. We should not reward the ayatollahs with billions of dollars and sophisticated weapons in exchange for temporary and unenforceable nuclear restrictions. Mr. Speaker, I have always supported a diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue, but this is a dangerously weak agreement. I urge my colleagues to reject it.

Mr. DENT

Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I am gathered here today with some of my colleagues because we participated in the Washington Kastles Charity Classic. We had a wonderful time for charity. I just wanted to mention this. The Washington Kastles, who were founded in 2008 and is the tennis team for the city of Washington, have made more than $1 million in charitable donations. The Charity Classic is an extension of those efforts, with 100 percent of the ticket proceeds benefiting Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, or TAPS, the DC Public Education Fund, and Food & Friends. Fans can choose which organization they support. It is a great cause. We had a tennis match, Stars v. Stripes. I am sorry to report that the Stars defeated the Stripes, having been in the Stripes the last 3 years. They finally won one, but we are very excited for them. It is nice to be talking about something other than golf on the House floor. I also wanted to acknowledge one person with us here today, Martina Hingis, who is in the audience. She is up there in the gallery. She just won Wimbledon Doubles Championship, women's and mixed doubles. She won both the women's doubles title and the mixed doubles title. She is on the Washington Kastles. We just wanted to acknowledge all the folks who played: Representatives Scott, Dold, Yoder, Bustos and Beatty. Where is Jared Huffman with the big serve? He is back there. We had a wonderful time. Senator Flake, Senator Merkley, and the rest of the Kastles could not be with us today. They are traveling. But we just wanted to thank them all for this wonderful effort. We need more tennis. At this time we would like to present this trophy, this cup, from the Stripes to the Stars, who defeated us.