Renee Ellmers

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. That's a wonderful question. I have another constituent who has shared numerous times with me his concern for the implementation of ObamaCare. Jerol and Telia Kivett, from Clinton, North Carolina, owned, again, a family- owned business that was started by his father back in the fifties. This company makes church furniture--church pews for synagogues, funeral homes, churches. Jerol and his wife are so concerned about this mandate and are wanting and needing to avoid this government mandate that it makes it extremely expensive for him to do business. He at one point had 160 employees. He is now down to about 45 employees. As you can imagine, in order for him to continue to do his business in the way that he sees fit, in the way that was started by his father, how will he continue into the future doing business when he knows that working his way back up again in this awful Obama economy--for him to hit that 50th employee--will mean a penalty for him if he is not providing health care coverage for his employees? If he is able to provide that health care coverage, it will be devastatingly expensive. With that, I would like to welcome my colleague from Texas, Congressman Burgess, for a few comments as well for he is well-versed in health care and in, again, the devastation that ObamaCare will bring.

Mrs. ELLMERS. Thank you to my colleague from Texas. His insight on this very important issue is vital to coming up with the solutions that we need. I do want to touch on one of the points that you were making, Dr. Burgess. Basically, I saw a report this morning put out by the Republican Study Committee that basically said that there was a study that is showing that we will have a shortage of 30,000 doctors within this country in 2 years. That is devastating.

Mrs. ELLMERS. Thank you to the gentleman. I do want to take a moment to talk about another group of young individuals in this country, young Americans who are also being negatively affected as a result of the implementation of ObamaCare: our students who are paying back student loans. As we all know, July 1 student interest rates are scheduled to double, essentially. My staff and I have done some research on this. And if you all remember back in 2009, when President Obama was implementing the health care bill, they also took over the student loans in this country. That was for pay-for. And according to the Congressional Budget Office, over the next 10 years, $8.7 billion of that student loan payback will come from those student loans. Not only are we affecting health care in this country, but we are also affecting our young people, those individuals who are graduating from colleges around this country who may or may not have a job to go to, a job that they have prepared a career for; and yet they too will be paying for ObamaCare.

Mrs. ELLMERS. With that, I would just say that the good news for the House is that last month we passed the Smarter Solutions for Students Act, and now it lies with the Senate for passage as well. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Madam Speaker, I thank my esteemed colleague for handling the time here on the floor in this very important issue. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1797, an important bill that will protect women and unborn children. This legislation is supported by reliable scientific research that shows that an unborn child at 20 weeks' gestation can feel pain. Coupled with the now-known dangerous acts of an abortionist like Kermit Gosnell, it is clear that Congress must act. We can all agree that a woman facing an unexpected pregnancy can be in a crisis situation, not knowing what she should do or what choices she can make. That is why it is vital to put into place protections for women and ensure that people like Kermit Gosnell can never harm again. We have a duty to protect American women and the unborn children of this country from harm. I urge my colleagues to vote for this important bill and support H.R. 1797.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service and sacrifice of Specialist Daniel Lucas Elliot. On July 15, 2011, Specialist Elliott's vehicle was in the lead vehicle of a convoy performing an improvised explosive device patrol in Basra, Iraq. Specialist Elliot's vehicle struck an improvised explosive device, killing him instantly. Specialist Elliott is survived by his parents, Ed A. and Martha P. Elliott of Youngsville, North Carolina, and his wife Trisha H. Elliott of Raleigh, North Carolina. Specialist Elliott was born on July 18, 1989 in Youngsville, NC. He entered the United States Army Reserve on January 10, 2007. Specialist Elliott attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonardwood, MO where he was awarded the Military Occupational Specialty of Military Police. In January 2009, Specialist Elliott deployed with the 810th Military Police Company to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Later that year he moved to Basra, Iraq, where he served the rest of his deployment. In March 2011, Specialist Elliott volunteered to deploy to Iraq a second time with the 805th Military Police Company in support of Operation New Dawn. He found himself stationed in Basra, Iraq, with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division. It was during this assignment that he gave his life for his fellow soldiers. Specialist Elliott's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (posthumous), Purple Heart Medal (posthumous), Meritorious Service Medal (posthumous), Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. On June 8, 2013, the Army Reserve will dedicate the Cary, North Carolina, US Army Reserve Center to the memory of Specialist Elliot and his sacrifice for our country. The ``Specialist Daniel Lucas Elliot Army Reserve Center'' will serve as a reminder to the community, the nation, and our army of the courage and sacrifice of our Soldiers as they provide us security and defend our way of life. Mr,Speaker, I ask that you please join me, and the United States Army Reserve, in recognizing Specialist Elliot's dedicated service to the Army and our Nation. His performance and selfless service are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army Reserve, and the United States Army.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1911, the Smarter Solutions for Students Act. Ever since 2006, student loan interest rates have been set by Congress through legislation. As I'm sure all of us remember, about 1 year ago we were affected by the artificially low interest rates that were ready to expire. But instead of finding a viable solution, Congress temporarily extended the rates and put off a permanent decision for another year. Now, here we are again. And if we do nothing, we will be here in the same exact place again with the fight again at the expense of our college students. Congress should not be in the business of setting interest rates, and H.R. 1911 fixes this problem and prevents Congress from playing political games with our young Americans' future. The college experience has always been a large part of the American Dream. We want the best for our children. We want them to have the opportunity to pursue a college education and create a better life for themselves. We owe it to our younger generation. We owe it to those high school seniors. And I believe that this bill will take care of that issue.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Terry Sanford High School of Fayetteville, NC as they celebrate their centennial graduation on June 6, 2013. Recognized by US News and World Report for receiving the Silver Medal in the annual list of America's Best High Schools in 2006, as well as being ranked one of the top 25 high schools in North Carolina this year, Terry Sanford is a shining example of a school preparing our students for the challenges of the 21st Century. Terry Sanford offers fourteen different Advanced Placement courses as well as a variety of honors courses. In addition, Terry Sanford is home to the School of Global Studies which offers a rigorous, liberal arts college preparatory education in order to promote academic excellence, global awareness, and cultural and social growth. I would like to congratulate Terry Sanford High School and its staff for 100 years of excellence and I commend them for their outstanding service in North Carolina education.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the committee for all the hard work that you've done, and especially to my good friend and fellow Republican Women's Policy Committee member, Representative Martha Roby, who introduced this very important bill because she realizes that as a mother of two children that the workplace must change to adapt to our increasingly stressful lives. Americans are struggling to balance their lives, doing everything they can to maintain their careers while still spending time with their families. We in the Congress can help. If H.R. 1406 becomes law, a working mom and dad can choose to use the time and a half overtime he or she earns as actual paid time off instead of cash. They would be able to use this time to see their daughter's piano recital or their son's baseball game when they would otherwise have to be at work. But, of course, even with this commonsense piece of legislation, there are detractors. Many myths have been spread about this bill. You've heard them here today. And the opponents refer to it as a ``pay cut for working moms,'' but this simply is not true. Also, I've heard that it's the assault on the 40-hour workweek. It is not. However, what is an assault on the 40-hour workweek is ObamaCare, which will force job creators to cut back their employees from full- time to part-time in order to keep their doors open. The decision to receive comp time is completely voluntary. This is not a partisan issue. In 1985, Ted Kennedy, Harry Reid, Joe Biden, and Steny Hoyer all supported giving the public sector employees the flexibility to choose comp time. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I cannot think of a better Mother's Day gift. This is something we can do right now to help families at a time when they need it most.

Ms. ELLMERS

Ms. ELLMERS. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 113, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' (By unanimous consent, Mr. Flores was allowed to speak out of order.) A Moment of Silence for the Victims in Boston, Massachusetts, and West, Texas

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss H.R. 1416, the Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2013. On April 1, 2013, the Obama administration reduced Medicare payments to the costs of cancer-fighting drugs. This is having a devastating impact on seniors fighting cancer and the Nation's cancer care delivery system, which is already in crisis. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS, said that it does not have the authority to stop these devastating cuts to lifesaving chemotherapy drugs. That's why yesterday I introduced the Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2013, H.R. 1416, to ensure seniors, especially those on lower or fixed incomes, get the treatment they need. The cuts the Obama administration is choosing to implement will jeopardize patient access to cancer care and result in higher overall costs for both seniors and the Medicare program by forcing patients into costlier hospital treatment settings. The United States enjoys the most respected and most successful cancer care delivery system in the world. More than 60 percent of U.S. cancer patients rely on Medicare; and, until recently, over 80 percent of the Nation's cancer patients were treated by physicians in the community setting. According to recent studies by Milliman and Avalere, community oncology clinics provide the most cost-effective model for delivering high-quality cancer services to elderly Americans. Despite this, a series of changes to Medicare reimbursements over the past decade have imperiled these vital innovations. The administration has decided to apply the sequester cut both to payments for part B drugs and to the 6 percent services payment. A recent survey done by the Community Oncology Alliance shows the CMS cuts will force 72 percent of community cancer centers to stop seeing new Medicare patients, or not see Medicare patients without secondary insurance, and/or send Medicare patients elsewhere for treatment, such as costly hospitals, where treatment costs more. When community cancer centers are forced to close their doors or limit services, access to cancer care is compromised for all cancer patients, especially the vulnerable population of seniors who rely on Medicare and those on fixed incomes and lower income individuals whose options are already limited. Fortunately, the Secretary of Health and Human Services has the authority to protect against further destabilization of the community cancer care safety net. The Office of Management and Budget, OMB, directed all Federal agencies to ``use any available flexibility to reduce operational risks and minimize impacts on the agency's core mission in service of the American people'' and to ``identify and address operational challenges that could potentially have a significant deleterious effect on the agency's mission or otherwise raise life, safety, or health concerns.'' Further, the Social Security Act compels the Secretary to adhere to the Average Sales Price-based formula that Congress established under the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. The Social Security Act expressly mandates that the Secretary reimburse physicians at 106 percent of ASP for office-administered drugs, providing detailed directions to the Secretary on how to calculate the average sales price. Congress has distinguished the Medicare drug payment methodology, and these provisions warrant deference under sequestration and guidance from the OMB. By passing this bill, we are ensuring that everything can be done to prevent these cuts from going into effect. I encourage my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the House budget proposal for the 2014 fiscal year. This proposal sets real practical goals that will stop spending money we don't have by cutting wasteful spending, fix our broken Tax Code to create jobs and increase wages, protect and strengthen important priorities like Medicare and national security, reform welfare programs like Medicaid so that we can deliver on the promises that we have made for those who truly need it, and repeal the President's health care bill so that we can finally replace it with meaningful patient-centered health care. Most importantly, it reduces the deficit and the debt that we have, and it becomes balanced in 10 years. I am continuously amazed by those on the other side of the aisle who say that this is just crazy talk that we would balance the Federal budget in 10 years. Mr. Speaker, this addresses the issues and the goals that will create a pro-growth economy and which will affect every American family across this country.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. I thank the chairman for the hard work that he and the House Budget Committee have done on this incredible effort for a new plan to balance the budget in 10 years. This proposal invites our friends across the aisle, President Obama, and the Senate to commit to the same commonsense goal. The 2014 House Republican budget sets a responsible precedent by ensuring our government lives within its means, just like millions of Americans across this country and just like my constituents back in North Carolina. I hear from them every day and they ask me: Why can't the Federal budget be balanced? Why can't Washington get its spending under control? This proposal sets real, practical goals that will stop spending money we don't have, fix our broken Tax Code, protect and strengthen important priorities like Medicare and national security, reforms welfare programs like Medicaid so that it can deliver on the promises to deliver to those who are in most need. It also does repeal the President's health care plan and allows us to put in place real, sensible, patient-centered reforms for health care. The House Republican budget reduces the deficit by $4.6 trillion over the next 10 years. This budget offers a plan to expand opportunity and creates jobs. While not sufficient by themselves, policy reforms at the Federal level can help foster an environment that promotes economic growth. This budget seeks to equip Americans with the skills to succeed in the 21st century economy and grow that economy. Mr. Chairman, I support this bill and I believe the American people are looking for this leadership here in Washington, because they know that bureaucrats here in Washington do not know what they know back home.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Anne Marion Taylor of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for receiving the 2013 Sloan Research Fellowship from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Dr. Taylor, a Biomedical Engineer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will receive a two-year, $50,000 grant to expand her research in Neurosciences. The fellowship is designed to provide supplemental funding and support to enhance the careers of its young recipients. This prestigious honor is reserved only for the best and brightest to highlight the newest generation of scientific leaders by opening new doors for those in the pursuit of scientific innovation. Dr. Taylor researches neurosciences and biomedical engineering to find ways to better understand cellular mechanisms involved in cognition. As a result of Dr. Taylor's studies, we now have commercially available devices that have led to breakthroughs in the study of synapse development. I congratulate Dr. Taylor for this impressive achievement and thank her for her dedicated work at UNC School of Medicine.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, thank you to my distinguished colleague from North Carolina, whose passion and longstanding experience in this area have brought this great piece of legislation for us to be able to vote on today. And I would just like to rise and say that I am in support of the rule and the underlying bill to the SKILLS Act. Here in Congress we frequently hear from our constituents back home that we need to work with the President on many issues, and this is a perfect example of a piece of legislation that we are working on with President Barack Obama. The SKILLS Act directly addresses what the President recently called ``a maze of confusing training programs.'' This is our chance to come together and create meaningful, commonsense reform that will help struggling Americans pull themselves up out of unemployment and empower them to better provide for their families. It would also create a single Workforce Investment Fund. It basically streamlines numerous ineffective, redundant programs, and it allows for every American to better themselves. I can only think of whom this bill actually helps. I can think of the single mother who is working every day and wants to better help her family and have the flexibility to go back to school to our good community colleges in this country, to our technical schools. This bill cuts the red tape that our community colleges and our technical schools now face. And now we can help them. There are so many out there that need this help. Mr. Speaker, this idea is not Republican and it is not Democrat. It is common sense. In fact, this bill is largely the same bill that came out of the Education and Workforce Committee last Congress, and most of the Democratic provisions have been retained. I am also hearing from constituents back home. For instance, Dr. Larry Keen, president of Fayetteville Technical Community College, recently told my office: I am in favor of the SKILLS Act and the purposes for which it was created. Anything that contributes to the simplification of a very complex system is of value. Again, I rise today in support of this. I agree with Dr. Keen. I am here to say that I am calling on my colleagues to step away from this partisan attack and help us pass this bill. Additionally, I hope the Senate will do the same.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Thank you to my colleague, who has done such a wonderful job on this issue. I rise today in support of the House substitution to the Violence Against Women Act, and I urge my colleagues in the House to vote ``yes'' on it as well. Every now and then here in the House, rather than speaking about issues of cutting budgets and talking about issues that many people don't think affect them directly, we have the distinct opportunity to hold everyone up and to fight for a cause for women, for men, for families, for children. This is one of those times in which we are not necessarily talking about policy but we are talking about people. This is a very, very real issue, and it has strong bipartisan support so that we may move forward on these issues and take this off the table. However, when we're talking about the Senate version and when we're talking about the House version, in my opinion, the House version is superior to the Senate version because it holds up all people. It does not segment individuals into certain groups and subcategories. It is all-inclusive. Violence across this country is pervasive. Women across this country are in families that they are trying to protect, and they feel the necessity to reach out, and we must help them. I know there are many in this House who believe that there is not a Federal nexus on this issue. However, let's talk about the times that we might have Internet stalking across State lines. That becomes a Federal nexus. We must protect all victims. We must protect the victims of tribal violence as well, and I believe the House version is superior to the Senate version in that area as well. Madam Speaker, this is a very, very important issue, and I urge my colleagues to follow along and, again, to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, recently I introduced a bill to rename the Century Postal Station in Raleigh, North Carolina in honor of former United States Senator Jesse Helms. Senator Helms, North Carolina's longest serving Senator, was a genuine man who fought for what he believed. He himself said, ``I didn't come to Washington to be a 'yes man' for any president, Democrat or Republican. I didn't come to Washington to get along and win any popularity contests.'' His steadfast nature even earned him the nickname ``Senator No,'' to which he had no objection. While voters would many times disagree with his policies, they always knew where he stood. Former North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole said, ``Even those who disagreed with Jesse on an issue could respect the fact that he always stood tall and firm for his convictions, his faith, his family, and his home State of North Carolina.'' Despite sometimes being a controversial figure during his 30 years in the Senate, Helms faithfully served North Carolina and its citizens. He became a leading voice in the United States Senate fighting against communism, for a balanced budget, and simplifying the tax code. He served on the Senate Agriculture Committee, where he served as chairman from 1981 to 1987, as well as the powerful Foreign Relations Committee where he served as chairman from 1995 to 2001. His legislative work may have been controversial, but his other Congressional duties were the opposite. Constituent service in Jesse Helms' office was second to none and set a new standard. Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, he made sure the constituents he worked for received prompt attention. Helms did everything he could to be accessible to his constituents, and showed genuine kindness and consideration to every one of them. He cared about his state and his fellow citizens. Born in Monroe, North Carolina, Helms started his career in journalism. It was in his 11 years in journalism, including working for the Raleigh News and Observer, that he met his wife, Dorothy Coble, and went on to marry her in 1942. Senator Helms' first interest in politics is said to have come from his conversations with his conservative father-in-law. Senator Helms raised his family in Raleigh, and after he retired he continued to make Raleigh his home. Helms and his wife had three children--Jane, Nancy, and Charles, a child with cerebral palsy, adopted at 9 by the Senator and his wife. Through this experience with Charles, Senator Helms became involved with Easter Seals and fighting for children with disabilities. He continued his humanitarian work later in his career by supporting efforts to fight AIDS in Africa during his final term. Bono, lead singer of U2, even praised Helms' work by saying ``without his taking a stance on AIDS, we would have lost a lot more lives.'' From his humanitarian work, to office's renowned constituent services, to his consistently passionate legislative work on Capitol Hill, Senator Helms, North Carolina's longest serving Senator was a man well deserving of this honor. He was a great North Carolinian and a great American. For these reasons, it is appropriate to ensure that future generations remember his legacy by having this building bear his name.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Louisburg College on their 225th anniversary as an institution of higher learning. Throughout its tenure, Louisburg College has continued to prosper and educate students during its 225 years, attracting students from 42 states and 15 countries. In four different centuries, students from Louisburg College have excelled in many areas of our economy, including business, government, politics, education, sports, and the military. Today Louisburg College has over 700 students and nearly 14,000 alumni. I thank those who have played a role in the success of Louisburg College and join the administration, faculty, students, alumni, Town of Louisburg, and the County of Franklin in celebrating the 225th anniversary of Louisburg College. May God continue to bless Louisburg College, the students, teachers, and families that make it a great place to learn.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for allowing me to speak on this very important issue today. I rise today in support of H.R. 8, which will ensure that we will not raise taxes on our Nation's job creators and harm our recovery. Madam Speaker, I would like to speak about one sector of the economy that will be the greatest harmed, and that is our farmers. Our farmers provide for our Nation and deserve our gratitude and protection from unnecessary harm. In my district, thousands of farmers and their families wait in fear that their homes and businesses will be destroyed by the devastating tax increases on the horizon. And yes, I am including the inheritance tax, or the estate tax, or, which I like to refer to as, the ``death tax,'' which I think, all in all, needs to be repealed in full. Let's just talk today about what will happen if we do not pass H.R. 8. Our farmers will be forced to lay off workers, and they will be forced to sell off equipment and land because that is where their investment is. They will not be able to pass along to their families the accomplishments that they and their ancestors put forward because most farms are family-owned businesses. What I am speaking of is the inheritance tax going up. It will increase to--total asset income of $1 million, increase to 55 percent, currently at $5 million at 35 percent. You can see that that would be devastating. As Steve Mitchell of Mitchell Farms in my district noted: It will be very hard for our son to carry on. We have paid taxes all our lives, and now they want to tax us when we die. With the value of our farm equipment these days, it wouldn't take long for a family farm to run up against this limit. We are here today because our economy and job creators continue to wait anxiously for real solutions. H.R. 8 will ensure that our family farmers, job creators will be protected.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. I thank my colleague from Texas for acknowledging me. Madam Speaker, I'm here today to join my colleagues and call for the immediate repeal of ObamaCare, with its massive tax increases. Last month, as we know, the Supreme Court verified that ObamaCare is, in fact, a tax, one that has increased financial burdens of every American by over $500 billion, and will go down in history as the most significant expansion of the Federal Government and its power. This law has and continues to be bad policy for all Americans and future generations. The Supreme Court's decision has sent a direct message to Congress and policymakers that we have to get back to work to repeal this law and replace it with effective, efficient reforms. I have begun circulating a letter that will be sent to Senator Harry Reid, calling on him to allow for his colleagues in the Senate to have an up-or-down vote on the repeal. Every American needs to know how his senator feels about this as well. We each have an obligation to vote our conscience and carry out the business of the American people. I am encouraging all of my colleagues here in the House to sign on to this letter so that each Member of Congress can decide whether or not they are in favor of raising taxes on millions of hardworking American taxpayers.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Once again, I rise today to speak out against ObamaCare and why we must repeal it. The Supreme Court's decision last month has verified that ObamaCare is one of the biggest tax increases in modern history. Furthermore, a board of 15 unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats will now remain in place to determine the health care for millions of Americans while cutting $500 billion out of Medicare for our seniors. The American people now have a clear choice. We in Congress can either support historic tax and spending increases, fiscal uncertainty, and unprecedented government overreach; or we can join together to fight to repeal this ObamaCare tax and work for real solutions while taking health care decisions out of the hands of government bureaucrats and putting them back into the control of doctors, patients, and their families. By repealing ObamaCare, we will restore the doctor-patient relationship and protect our seniors from ceding this relationship to a board of unelected bureaucrats. Our system must not dictate to doctors how to provide care, force them to provide medications regardless of known complications and then make them liable with no limits or protections. Reforming the health care system and ensuring patient-centered access to care is not a Republican idea or a Democrat idea. Rather, it is the obligation of all of us to the American people.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Thank you to my colleague from North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and the underlying bill and call for the passage of H.R. 4970, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012. Since its enactment in 1994, VAWA has helped many women escape abuse and enabled them to seek help through its victim services program. We're here today debating something that is a good policy and common sense and should be supported in the same bipartisan manner that we have seen throughout the two decades since its inception. Violence against women does not occur along party lines, and neither should reauthorization of these programs. We must work together in a bipartisan manner to protect women from domestic violence, rape, and stalking. Partisan posturing should not be placed above the urgent needs of these victims. The House's reauthorization makes several key improvements to the Senate bill and nearly doubles the resources for eliminating the backlog of unprocessed rape evidence kits, while cracking down on the fraud identified in the immigration program. This bill also brings great accountability to the grant administration by ensuring that funding is spent on the victims, not Washington bureaucrats. The House's reauthorization of VAWA is and always will be about the victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. I am proud to support this bill and will continue to fight and protect women and victims of abuse through commonsense legislation.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Michelle Scott of Raleigh, North Carolina, for receiving this year's Federal Service Award at the Department of Justice's annual victim's service awards. Having worked with crime victims for the past 12 years, she has shown great dedication to the people of North Carolina. The award she received recognizes service providers, other professionals, or volunteers, for their exceptional contributions and extraordinary impact on behalf of crime victims in Indian Country, on military installations, in national parks, or in other areas under federal jurisdiction. Since 2003, Ms. Scott has led the biannual Federal Domestic Violence Conference in North Carolina. In response to the requirements of Title I of the Justice for All Act of 2004, Ms. Scott led the judges and prosecutors in the Eastern District of North Carolina to place the victim at the forefront of criminal proceedings. Ms. Scott developed and implemented model victim-witness training programs in Kosovo and Albania for judges, prosecutors, victim advocates, law enforcement offices, and non-governmental agencies. I would like to express my sincere congratulations to Michelle Scott on receiving this year's Federal Service Award. I join with her family, friends, and colleagues in offering my praise and admiration for her work on behalf of crime victims here and abroad. I applaud what Michelle has done for the citizens of North Carolina and in Kosovo. We are lucky to have such a champion of victim's rights in our great state. The 2nd district of North Carolina thrives on strong leaders like Michelle, who work hard every day to protect and serve the people of our community. I look forward to hearing about her future achievements, and may God continue to grant her success and happiness in all her endeavors.

Mrs. ELLMERS

Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize MSG Kevin Foutz and SFC Thomas Payne of the United States Army on winning this year's Best Ranger Competition. The competition took place at Fort Benning, Georgia, over three days and included challenges such as a grenade assault course, a helicopter jump, and the Darby Queen obstacle course, as well as plenty of running. This marks the third consecutive year that soldiers from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, have won the competition, and the first time that one of the winners was from a non-combat arms MOS. I congratulate MSG Foutz and SFC Payne on this impressive accomplishment. May God bless them, their families, and our great nation.