Tom Emmer

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. I thank the gentleman from Texas, Representative Brady, for his leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the urgent health needs of this Nation. I asked my constituents to share with me how ObamaCare has affected them, and I want to share a few of their stories with you today. Troy, from Norwood Young America, wrote that his family's premium went up and coverage went down, drastically affecting the cost of his son's hearing aid. Brian, from Albertville, said his wife's mental health clinic has steadily lost clients due to regulations. Today, Congress will vote to get rid of this fundamentally flawed and unworkable law, but this cannot be for show. It is not enough for Congress to simply be against ObamaCare. We need to offer alternatives. By offering market-based, consumer-focused reforms, we can find real solutions, and I am committed to working with my colleagues to get it done. It is time to stop playing party politics with the public's health.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues, Congresswoman Kristi Noem and Congresswoman Ann Wagner, for their leadership here tonight. Nearly a year ago, Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria kidnapped more than 200 teenage girls with the intent of selling them off into slavery. This crime against humanity sparked international outrage, but a distracted world soon turned their attention and their backs on these young women. Unfortunately, this was not an isolated tragedy in some faraway nation. We are in the midst of a global crisis. On every continent and in every nation, millions of human beings are sold and enslaved, forced into labor and prostitution against their will. In the United States alone, hundreds of thousands are trafficked by transnational drug cartels and criminal organizations. The Justice Department estimates there are more than 200,000 children across the U.S. at risk of trafficking. Human trafficking is a $30 billion per year enterprise, with thousands trafficked annually. This is not just an American problem, but there is work that we can do at home to combat this growing problem. Congress must do everything within its power and authority to ensure that resources and judicial tools are being used to improve prosecutions, protect victims, and prevent future trafficking. Thankfully, we are not starting with nothing. One way we can combat trafficking is through safe harbor laws that have been instituted across the country, including my home State of Minnesota. I would like to thank my colleague, Senator Amy Klobuchar, for her leadership on protecting victims and assisting prosecutors by forwarding safe harbor laws at the national level. Her leadership, with the support of countless others--including especially my colleagues John Kline and Eric Paulsen--comes from an ongoing effort from everyday Minnesotans looking to make an impact and rescue young men and women trapped in the sex trade. There is also an existing network of organizations that provide services to victims of trafficking that are both life altering and lifesaving. In my district, three such organizations stand out. Breaking Free and Heartland Girls' Ranch help women escape sexual exploitation through housing, mental health support, and education. The Link, in Carver County, provides support programs to youth and families to combat homelessness and works with at-risk children to help them reach their full potential. Organizations like these are vital in the fight against trafficking. They make a real difference, and their efforts should be celebrated. Congress will take important votes tomorrow to streamline agency processes and responses, improve the effectiveness of grant awards, and expand the scope of outreach and child protection initiatives. To our collective shame, the tragedy of human trafficking persists. The words spoken tonight and the votes cast in this Chamber tomorrow cannot merely be symbolic gestures. They must be followed by action and constant vigilance. Our children deserve nothing less.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, on the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I stand with my colleagues in defense of innocent human life. My wife and I were blessed with seven beautiful children, each with their own unique gifts. Since Roe v. Wade, more than 56 million unborn babies have been robbed of the chance to reach their true potential. Our Nation's role as a defender of the rights to life and liberty erode with each innocent life that is taken. This is not a partisan issue or a judgment of others. But we must never stop defending the rights of those who cannot speak for themselves. Mr. Speaker, in an era where common ground can be hard to find, I am honored to serve with the men and women dedicated to the protection of these most basic of liberties.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Amendment VI: ``In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, . . . ''

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Keystone pipeline, which will safely move 300 million barrels annually, strengthen our economy, continue to decrease our dependence on Mideast oil, and support thousands of jobs. This body has shown tremendous leadership on this issue and last year passed bipartisan legislation to approve Keystone for the ninth time. Today, with strong support from unions, businesses, and the American people, we must pass it again. I am grateful for Representative Cramer, Chairman Shuster, Chairman Upton, and the leadership for their work on this vital legislation.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Keystone pipeline and on behalf of the people of Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District. I am honored and I would like to thank my constituents for the opportunity to serve as their representative. I am a proud supporter of the Keystone XL pipeline, which will be an efficient and safe means of transporting up to 830,000 barrels of crude oil from Canada to the United States daily. The construction of this pipeline will support thousands of jobs and increase our GDP by nearly $3.4 billion. Keystone will continue to reduce our dependence on Mideast oil. In the fastest growing region of Minnesota, this pipeline will alleviate rail and road congestion currently plaguing cities like Anoka and Elk River. This pipeline will also bring stability to our energy system and help stimulate growth in our economy.