Virginia Foxx

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Will the gentleman yield?

Ms. FOXX. I would like to ask the gentleman if he could point out in the bill where you cede the power to the employer because that is not in this legislation. I would love it if you would just point that out to us in the legislation.

Ms. FOXX. It is totally voluntary on the part of the employee.

Ms. FOXX. Will the gentleman yield?

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. Mr. Speaker, this bill strengthens protections for workers and increases penalties for abuses. It contains strong anticoercion provisions that would prohibit an employer from directly or indirectly trying to intimidate or coerce workers. Employers found to have coerced employees would be liable to the employees for double damages. And all existing remedies, including action by the U.S. Department of Labor, are available to workers if an employer fails to pay cash wages for overtime hours. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), the chairman of the Small Business Committee.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Jenkins), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen).

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Alabama (Mrs. Roby), the author of the bill.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman had asked a question, and we are prepared to answer on his time.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Alabama (Mrs. Roby).

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to point out a couple of things in response to some of what our colleagues have said. This bill is giving workers the freedom to choose. I want to reiterate that. Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are always big on giving women, in particular, the right to choose when it comes to abortions. This gives women and men both a right to choose when it comes to their time; and, to me, there is no more commodity more precious to us than our time. I also want to say that our colleagues have said there are no meaningful rights that they don't already have. Well, Mr. Speaker, if the workers in the private sector already had these rights, we wouldn't be putting this law up for a vote. Our colleague from Illinois, a few minutes ago, outlined all these wonderful benefits that the public sector employees have, and she is right. The private sector people would love to have the same rights that the public sector people have that are paid for by hardworking taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time to close.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. We have heard from our colleagues that we are just not doing enough for working people, and we have also heard from our colleagues that all employers are evil people. I tell you, Mr. Speaker, it is astonishing to me that we have as many people working in this country as we do under all these evil employers. They must have run into just the worst people in the world. I don't ever run into people like that. Everybody I know that has employees is cherishing them because they need them, and they treat them right. They have often said there are other things that we can do. But, Mr. Speaker, we have this bill in front of us, and it gives workers something that our colleagues cannot give them: the freedom to choose and to have more time. Edward Everett Hale said: ``I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.'' That is what this bill does. Congresswoman Roby has introduced a bill--and many people have signed on--that will do one thing for people in the private sector. It will give them the same rights that people in the public sector have, to turn overtime into comp time. It is a pro-worker, pro-family proposal that will make a positive difference in the lives of many Americans. The Federal Government shouldn't stand in the way of more flexibility in the workplace. Today we have a chance to empower single parents, moms and dads with a newborn, students trying to earn a college diploma, and so many other individuals who simply need more time to meet their needs. We have heard a lot of excuses from Democrats today. It is the same story we have heard for years in an effort to deny workers the freedom to do what is best for them based on their own values. However, the concerns we heard have been addressed. This bill provides very strong worker protections to ensure the decision to choose comp time is voluntary. It gives workers a choice and puts them in control of their time. Let's vote in favor of freedom and flexibility for American workers today. Let's give private sector employees the same choice that government workers have. Let's establish fairness in our Nation's workforce policies. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to help more Americans balance the demands of work and family by supporting the Working Families Flexibility Act. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I claim the time in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I oppose the motion to recommit. For years, so-called Progressives have clung to outdated Federal workforce policies from the 1930s. Why? They think government knows what is best for hardworking men and women in this country. This is a theme they abide by day after day. This motion is just another attempt to deny workers the freedom to decide what is best for them and their families. Once again, Democrats are defending a double standard--yes, a double standard. They voted to give government workers a choice on comp time. Why shouldn't those in the private sector, those whose taxpayer dollars pay the salaries of government employees, receive the same choice? It is time to eliminate this double standard. It is time to modernize our Nation's labor rules to meet the needs of the 21st century workforce. It is time for greater freedom, flexibility, and fairness for American workers. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the motion to recommit and ``yes'' on the Working Families Flexibility Act. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Roby for leading this Special Order, but a special thanks to you for introducing H.R. 1180, the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017. Everyone in the private sector, men and women, are grateful to you for doing this. I may repeat some of the things that some of my colleagues have already said, but, Mr. Speaker, they bear repeating. This proposal, this bill, is about freedom, flexibility, and fairness. Workers, not the Federal Government, should have the freedom to choose what is best for them and their families. Hardworking men and women need more flexibility to balance work, life, and family, and there should be fair workforce policies that don't put private sector employees at a disadvantage to those in the public sector. Across the country, there are moms and dads who wish they had more flexibility to make their child's baseball game or dance recital, students who can't find enough time to study for college finals while working full time, and individuals who are struggling to care for an aging relative. There are many workers who want flexible work arrangements instead of rigid 9 to 5 schedules so they can attend to their personal needs. This bill will improve the quality of life of many Americans by offering workers eligible for overtime pay a choice between paid time off and cash wages. Outdated Federal labor rules currently prohibit private sector workers from exercising this choice. More than 30 years ago, Republicans and Democrats amended the law to give public sector workers the option of comp time. This was a positive step, but it created double standards. It is time to ease this double standard by leveling the playing field between private sector employees and government workers when it comes to workplace flexibility. That is exactly what this bill does. It is a commonsense idea that should receive the support of workers on both sides of the aisle. As my colleague from Alabama said, the decision to choose comp time is completely voluntary and requires a written agreement between the worker and employer. Those who want to continue receiving cash wages as overtime pay are always free to do so. It also explicitly prohibits employers from coercing workers into electing comp time. Mr. Speaker, this bill is, again, about fairness, and it is so difficult for me to understand how Democrats would be opposed to that. We should have the same rules in the private sector as we do in the public sector. I think that Democrats have run out of excuses not to provide workers this choice. All we are doing here is giving a choice. No one, Republican nor Democrat, should think they know what is best for individual workers and their families. Mr. Speaker, when we vote on this bill this week, I hope all of our colleagues will come to their senses and see that they are discriminating against the private sector by denying them the opportunity to take their overtime as comp time and that they will vote with us. Again, I thank my colleague from Alabama for her leadership on this Special Order, but particularly her willingness to introduce this bill and take the lead in promoting it.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate National Charter Schools Week, I want to highlight my recent visit to Success Academy Harlem 1, which is 1 of 41 charter schools in the largest and highest performing public charter school network in New York City. Success Academy current serves 14,000 students and has more than 16,000 families on its wait list. Founded in 2006, Harlem 1 is Success Academy's first school, and founder Eva Moskowitz served as its first principal. With a focus on developing the whole child, Success Academy aims to make its schools joyful places of learning. I am here to tell you that these schools are getting results, and they are joyful. Five of the top five schools in the State of New York in math and two of the top five schools in English are Success Academy schools. Every student in every school deserves an excellent education, but unfortunately we are falling far short of that goal as a nation. Thankfully, innovative charter schools like Success Academy Harlem 1 are providing thousands of families with new hope and opportunity.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank an exceptional North Carolinian, Curtis Rhyne, who has served our state well here in Congress. After getting his start in my office several years ago, he worked for several Chairmen of the Republican Study Committee and later with my colleague, Rep. Richard Hudson. He brought conservative Carolina values to that service, which were instilled in him by his parents, Jerry and Elaine Rhyne, and his entire family during his formative years in Statesville, N.C. As an East Carolina University Pirate and graduate, Curtis was well prepared intellectually for his work here in Washington, which was primarily on energy, trade, and other policy issues. He is well known in Washington for his personal attention to individuals and issues and is held in the highest regard for his professionalism and knowledge. Regardless of where he resides, I'll always think of Curtis as a constituent and wish him well as he moves on to serve our state as a Policy Advisor for North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore in Raleigh.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, GE will hold its 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareowners in Asheville, North Carolina. The company will also be celebrating its 125th anniversary. GE likes to hold its shareowners meeting in a different city each year to highlight the company's strong presence in communities across the United States. It certainly has significant business operations in North Carolina. GE supports nearly 18,000 jobs in the State between its direct employees and its suppliers. For every one GE job, three North Carolina jobs are supported. The company also generates $7.2 billion in total production output per year in North Carolina, and compensates its employees more than twice the State average. GE makes this investment in our great State because it knows that the workers in North Carolina, especially those at the GE facility in West Jefferson, in the Fifth District, work hard and have a commitment to excellence.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, last weekend I had the pleasure of visiting Bridges Academy, a charter school in State Road, North Carolina. The school was celebrating the decision by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction unanimously to renew its charter for an additional 10 years. Bridges Academy opened in 1997 as one of the first charter schools in North Carolina. Established by a local community group, it is overseen by a grassroots, local board of directors. It serves a rural population from surrounding systems in Alleghany, Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin counties, and Elkin city. The mission of Bridges Academy is to provide all students with the opportunity to develop an academic foundation that empowers students to reach their full potential. It has focused on students that are struggling in the traditional school setting. The school is doing great work, especially in regard to serving students with disabilities who, on average, make up 45 percent of the student body. There is a teacher assistant in each class providing accommodations and modifications to all students. End-of-grade proficiency among the subgroup of students with disabilities is in the top 3 percent of the State. Bridges Academy is fairly unique for a charter school in that it provides transportation for students in three counties. When nearly 90 percent of the student population is considered economically disadvantaged, the school offers free breakfast and lunch for all students through the Community Eligibility Provision, and a food backpack program is offered to the neediest students each Friday. All lead teachers at Bridges Academy are highly qualified, while 50 percent of the regular education teachers also hold licensure in special education. New leadership in both governing board members and administration several years ago has led to growth in accountability, student population, and campus construction. We have always known what makes a great school: it is a great principal who attracts great teachers and parental involvement. That is what you see at Bridges Academy. Don't take my word for it, though. Listen to this testimonial from a parent who wrote: ``As the new school year approaches, I wanted to take a moment to write. I can't thank you enough for being there for my daughter. ``You and the Bridges staff have made such a difference in her life. Before we moved here and found this wonderful school, my daughter was struggling. She was isolated and bullied by her classmates and so depressed that she didn't fit in with the other children because of her emotional and learning disabilities. ``At Bridges, she was welcomed with open arms and she knows that everyone on staff is working for her best interests. Finding her teacher, who is from our home State, was truly a blessing. She understood that my daughter needed to learn in a different way, and you helped her adjust to our new community. ``Always remember that you and the school that has done so much for my daughter will continue to have my support.'' The power of an excellent education is truly life-changing. I know because it changed mine. As a child, I attended public school. It was a very poor school, but it provided some very positive experiences. The lessons learned and encouragement provided there have helped me go further in life and achieve more than I ever dreamed. There are countless stories just like mine. Every day, students take classes, hear lectures, or receive advice that will have long and lasting impacts on their lives. That is why it is so important we continue working to improve K-12 education and ensure all students are able to benefit from those opportunities. Every student in every school deserves an excellent education, but, unfortunately, we are falling far short of that goal as a nation. Thankfully, innovative charter schools like Bridges Academy are providing thousands of families with new hope and opportunity. School choice provides real hope to moms and dads, and school choice has provided the students at Bridges Academy with a high-quality education and a greater chance to succeed in life. School choice is a powerful tool to help children succeed, and I am encouraged by the momentum that is building. The challenge we face is extending the promise of school choice to more students and families. As chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, that is a challenge I take seriously and one I am committed to tackling head-on. The bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act includes a number of reforms to expand school choice; and across the country, efforts are underway to empower families with more educational options, including charter schools, home schooling, scholarship programs, and education savings accounts. We must ensure Federal policies support--rather than discourage-- innovative school choice and explore additional opportunities to expand the promise of school choice. I look forward to the work ahead and exploring additional opportunities to provide parents more choices for their children's education. Thank You to NVIZION, Inc.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, on Monday night, fans across my home State and the entire country were ecstatic as we celebrated the University of North Carolina's sixth NCAA men's basketball championship. It was a thrilling evening. But in the Fifth District, one company was getting to work. Five minutes after the 71-65 victory against Gonzaga, the presses at NVIZION, Inc., in King, North Carolina, started moving and printing thousands of championship T-shirts commemorating the national title. The company runs two presses on a typical day but ran four presses to fill the order of five different championship designs. The dedicated staff stayed until the last T-shirt was printed, folded, packaged, and picked up. Congratulations to the UNC players on their hard-fought victory, and thank you to the folks at NVIZION for producing the victory T-shirts that I am sure have been quickly snapped up by the university's dedicated fans. How about them Heels?

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe), the author of the bill, a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, and chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg), chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee.