Virginia Foxx

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, our southern border is under siege and President Biden is asleep at the wheel. Over 40 illegal aliens on the terror watch list have been arrested at the southern border since President Biden took office. In March of this year, 220,000 illegal aliens were encountered at the southern border, and 62,000 of them evaded Border Patrol agents. Madam Speaker, that averages out to roughly 2,000 people per day escaping into our country. So who did Border Patrol agents not catch? Who else is on the terror watch list that escaped into our country? Madam Speaker, border security is national security, and it is clear that this administration fails to recognize that most basic fact and do its duty.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, April is Financial Literacy Month, the perfect time to remind Americans just how financially irresponsible Democrats are. Democrats have used the pocketbooks of hardworking Americans to fund a multitrillion-dollar spending spree and now have the audacity to deny responsibility for the inflation crisis. This includes extending the student loan repayment moratorium three times, costing taxpayers over $150 billion. Democrats are financially irresponsible and are dragging student borrowers along with them. In January, the administration announced it would no longer require borrowers to sign an online acknowledgment about their total student debt each year before taking out additional loans. We should make it easier for student borrowers to understand the gravity of taking out tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, not hiding it from them. Mr. Speaker, Democrats' policies don't promote financial literacy, they promote financial illiteracy.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, President Biden's recently submitted budget for fiscal year 2023 is a literal dumpster fire. His budget confirms what we have known all along: He does not have the slightest clue what fiscal responsibility means. Right now, families are facing a $3,500 yearly inflation tax, but President Biden wants to spend a whopping $73 trillion over the next decade, a 66 percent increase over the previous 10 years. Over the next 5 years, inflation rates would increase by 2.8 percent. In fact, this scheme would be the highest sustained government spending endeavor in American history. Mr. Speaker, President Biden has failed to read the room yet again. The American people do not want another Biden budget bust.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, the strides women have made across all corners of the sports world deserve to be celebrated, not torn to pieces by the far left's radical ideological agenda. This year officially marks the 50th anniversary of title IX, a law from 1972 that mandates equal opportunities for women in education. While this anniversary deserves to be recognized, the threat of President Biden's flawed interpretation of this legislation looms larger than ever before. This administration's radical reinterpretation of title IX to include sexual orientation and gender identity has pushed women to the sidelines. President Biden's decision to allow biological male athletes who identify as transgender to compete in women's sports is an affront to the progress that women have made since 1972. Title IX was a revolution for women's sports. Since its passage, title IX has spurred women's participation in sports by a considerable margin. Instead of rightfully celebrating these achievements, the left is willing to sacrifice them for the sake of its radical political agenda. Mr. Speaker, we should not be tolerating the left's assault on women. We must ensure that the safety and needs of young girls and women are made a top priority. Erasing sex and gender means, ultimately, erasing women, especially when it comes to sports. Girls and women at the top of their sport lose a fair chance to compete when a biological male enters the field. How is this any different than keeping women off the field altogether? We can't let women's sports become collateral damage to the far left's campaign against the traditional, science-based understanding of sex and gender. Allowing women and girls to suffer for the sake of being politically correct is the textbook definition of cowardice. I am proud of the progress our Nation has made in the past 50 years to uplift and affirm the rights of women. The prospect of those advances being lost today is gut-wrenching. If we allow these fantasies of the radical left to become mainstream, 50 years of progress will be buried completely.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6833. Americans are rightly concerned about the price of prescription drugs, but Democrats are trying to solve this problem in the wrong way, as usual. Instead of discussing bipartisan, commonsense legislation to address the rising costs of prescription drugs, we are debating H.R. 6833. This radical bill is another attempt by the left to advance a government takeover of prescription drug pricing. Don't be fooled. This legislation is a Trojan horse. H.R. 6833 claims to address insulin prices, but what it actually does is opens the door to government price controls without addressing the root problem, which is the rising cost of insulin. H.R. 6833 won't lower costs. It is a smokescreen that will raise premiums for workers and seniors when inflation is at a 40-year high. Why are Democrats knowingly raising healthcare premiums on the majority of Americans when so many Americans are struggling to pay for gas and put food on the table? Four out of five Americans in large group plans already pay under $35 a month for insulin. This bill will raise healthcare costs for the vast majority of working Americans. When insurers are required by the Federal Government to cover an insulin product, this allows manufacturers to raise the price of insulin indiscriminately. Since insurers can charge only $35 a month out of pocket to the patient, the insurer must make up for the increased cost of insulin by raising premiums for all beneficiaries. With a lack of competition in the market, this bill removes the bargaining power insurers use to keep insulin prices low, leading to increased insulin prices and higher premiums. This legislation will only worsen the root problem of high insulin prices, which is a lack of competition in the market. H.R. 6833 will lead to fewer approved generic insulin brands, making the insulin monopoly even worse. If Democrats really want to decrease the price of insulin, they should pave the way for more competition, not less. This legislation will cost taxpayers $11 billion, giving the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services $1.5 million in fiscal year 2022 to administer these drug-pricing caps. Trusting the Washington bureaucracy to manage drug pricing and distribution is a mistake. This legislation would be the largest expansion of Federal control over Americans' private health insurance since ObamaCare. We must stop the Federal Government from wedging its foot in the door of our healthcare system and moving us one step closer to a socialist, single-payer system for Medicare for All. In fact, this week, the chair of the Progressive Caucus said she was ``fighting to make it the law of the land.'' H.R. 6833 sets a dangerous precedent. If the Federal Government can set prices for insulin, what is to stop it from implementing price controls for every drug on the market or in every other sector of the economy? The free market is the reason the United States outpaces every other country in developing lifesaving cures and treatments, particularly countries with socialized medicine. Federal drug-pricing mandates will discourage medical innovation, resulting in fewer cures, which will keep Americans from receiving the therapies they rely upon. Instead of perpetuating Obama-era schemes to expand Federal controls over Americans' health insurance, the Biden administration and congressional Democrats should bring to the floor H.R. 19, the bipartisan Lower Costs, More Cures Act. Every single provision in H.R. 19 has bipartisan support. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree that this legislation will lower healthcare costs and protect America's status as a leading healthcare innovator. Furthermore, H.R. 19 sets a new standard in healthcare affordability. This bill caps seniors' out-of-pocket insulin costs at only $50 a month in the Medicare program. It also allows for high-deductible insurance plans to cover insulin before a deductible kicks in, and it increases the availability of low-cost options for treatment in the marketplace. The cost of insulin, like most healthcare costs in this country, are climbing rapidly. Yet, total Federal control is not the solution. H.R. 6833 is a perfect example of legislative trickery. This bill will lower out-of-pocket costs for insulin for a minority of Americans by bloating premiums and other healthcare costs for the majority of Americans and leave our healthcare system worse off. Supporting socialist drug pricing isn't a solution, which is why I am rejecting this one-sided, harmful bill. I urge my Democrat colleagues to support the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, bipartisan legislation that will lower drug costs for Americans without limiting access to cures. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Good).

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I believe I have the right to close, so I will reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I cannot let go past one of our colleagues saying before that we don't believe in helping average people. Yes, we do. Republicans are here every day. We are average people. We are here to help average people. But what we believe in most of all is freedom for Americans. And we happen to believe that Democrats don't believe in that, and this bill is an exemplar of the fact that they want the government to control our lives in every way they possibly can. In the past, Democrats and Republicans have worked together to bring down the cost of prescription drugs, but Democrats have once again pursued politics over progress. H.R. 6833 is a massive power grab that will lead our country one step closer to socialized medicine. That is not what the American people think and want. There is no such thing as a free-market system when government bureaucrats control prices. This legislation sets an extremely dangerous precedent. We shouldn't pursue policies that will harm the health and well-being of American patients, and we should not knowingly raise healthcare premiums on American workers and their families when prices for goods are soaring. Republicans stand ready to work with Democrats to advance legislation that promotes competition, lowers costs for consumers, establishes transparency and accountability in drug pricing, and advances the cause of freedom. H.R. 6833 is not that legislation. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, it is undeniable that religious freedom is America's keystone. This great country was founded by men and women who fled religious persecution and sought to govern themselves according to their religious beliefs. Despite religious freedom having been woven into our constitutional system for well over two centuries, and the precedents it has established, Democrats are choosing to play judge, jury, and executioner in its trial. Today, religious organizations are under attack by the woke agenda of Democrats. Those on the left claim that faith-based organizations must abandon their conscience and amend their employment practices, or they should not have access to Federal contracts or funds. It is a damning ultimatum. Imagine how many faith-based organizations would be forced to close their doors because of this. Madam Speaker, this coordinated campaign is being carried out by the left, and it is guided by the assumption that a radical, progressive dogma is more legitimate than religious beliefs. That assumption is pure insanity. In this country, faith is not subjugated or left at the door. It is carried with us no matter where we may go. I applaud every man and woman who is standing up to this egregious assault from the left and is fighting for the right to live by religious convictions at work and in business. President Biden's so-called Build Back Better framework is riddled with discriminatory provisions. One clause would have required faith- based childcare providers to abandon their faith during program hours if they wanted to participate in the Federal program. And in the Community Services Block Grant program, the Democrats want to strip a provision that protects faith-based providers' right to remain strong in their faith as they serve individuals in need. This protection has been in place without controversy or harm to any individual seeking assistance for decades. Why change it now? I think we know. This isn't just religious persecution; it is textbook coercion. Unfortunately, there is more. Democrats have also sought to remove protections for religious nonprofit organizations and Federal contractors. Like their secular counterparts, faith-based charities in the United States simply want to serve the less fortunate, but discriminatory legislation could keep them from being able to do that. Faith-based charities and religious Federal contractors alike deserve the chance to practice their religion freely without government interference. It appears Democrats need a refresher on the First Amendment. The government does not bestow the freedom of religion upon us; it is a freedom we have possessed since birth. Whenever we see protections for religious freedom being chipped away in this country, it is our solemn duty as Americans and people of faith to take a stand.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Georgia for yielding me time. H.R. 2954 includes the text of the RISE Act, a bill that I am proud to lead with Chairman Scott of the Education and Labor Committee. This bill was born out of true bipartisan collaboration, and I am pleased at the progress we have made with our colleagues across the aisle. Hardworking Americans deserve the opportunity to save for a secure future, yet too many workers aren't putting anything towards their retirement nest egg. By removing the red tape tying up job creators and providing incentives for workers to save more, this legislation will strengthen and modernize America's retirement system, so our Nation's workers, retirees, and employers are better served. It truly is a much-needed step in the right direction. Practical solutions like the RISE Act and H.R. 2954 are a win for job creators, workers, and our Nation's economic future. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes''. Madam Speaker, I would like to inquire if the distinguished chairman of the Education and Labor Committee would be willing to engage in a colloquy with me about the matter of furnishing paper ERISA disclosures to participants and beneficiaries. I yield to the chairman.

Ms. FOXX. I thank the chairman. Madam Speaker, the underlying bill includes an imperfect provision requiring retirement plans to provide a paper statement annually. The bill also directs the Department of Labor to revise its 2002 and 2020 safe harbor regulations to conform with this requirement. While I support the bill, I have serious concerns about this blunt provision which would undermine DOL's 2002 and 2020 e-delivery safe harbor regulations. Participants in plans have been relying on the 2002 safe harbor regulations for nearly 20 years. The Committee on Education and Labor has dedicated considerable time to this issue. I do not consider this a settled matter, and I will continue to engage with my House and Senate colleagues to find a workable solution that simplifies and modernizes the disclosure requirements for retirement plans.

Ms. FOXX. I yield to the gentleman from Virginia.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, reclaiming my time, I thank the chairman for his willingness to continue working on this issue together. Again, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the bill.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh needs to remember that he is a Cabinet member, not an activist. His one-sided involvement in active labor disputes is unfair and unprecedented. He is a former union president and the first union member in nearly half a century to lead the Department of Labor. If you believe he can be an impartial arbiter, then I have swampland in New Mexico to sell you. The head of the AFL-CIO herself expressed approval of Walsh's willingness to work ``behind the scenes.'' Walsh's infamous picket line participation with strikers at the Kellogg's factory won't be his last attempt to interfere with labor- management disputes. Politico recently reported Walsh is ``eager to help with others.'' Walsh's pro-union advocacy disqualifies him from acting as an honest broker. He would rather protect his union boss cronies than protect workers and job creators.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, this week many people will be celebrating National AmeriCorps Week. I will not be one of them. AmeriCorps has been around for almost 30 years, and in that time we have learned never to underestimate the ability of the Federal Government to muck things up. No one denies that AmeriCorps began with good intentions, and I applaud the philanthropic spirit of those who volunteer out of a genuine desire to help those in need. However, I cannot applaud a bloated bureaucratic organization that is the poster child for fraud and mismanagement. AmeriCorps is entrusted with 1.1 billion taxpayer dollars every single year. And every single year AmeriCorps proves it is an expert at wasting taxpayer funds. For example, some AmeriCorps programs cost taxpayers four to eight times more money than programs that perform identical services. Even more concerning is the fact that neither Congress, the Inspector General, nor AmeriCorps itself have an idea of how taxpayer dollars are being managed. In fact, AmeriCorps' financial statements are so bad that they have not been able to be audited for the past 5 years. According to AmeriCorps' Inspector General, if this occurred at a private organization there would be a ``wholesale resignation or firing of the leadership team, and the public would be shorting their stock.'' Even more concerning is the lack of oversight AmeriCorps provides over its grantees that are plagued with fraudulent activity. For example, a Hawaiian nonprofit executive was recently sentenced to 46 months in prison for embezzling over $500,000 from AmeriCorps, and a school district in St. Louis was found guilty of encouraging AmeriCorps volunteers to falsely inflate time sheets. The private sector often does the same work as AmeriCorps but at a fraction of the price and with far less waste, fraud, and mismanagement. It is our job as Members of the House of Representatives to ensure that taxpayer funds are protected. The power of the purse is one of our most important constitutional duties. We therefore must stop feeding the black hole that is AmeriCorps and instead empower States and local governments to meet the needs of their residents. The last time AmeriCorps' programs were reauthorized was in 2009 with the passage of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which was named in honor of the late Senator who was the author of the legislation that governs many of AmeriCorps' programs. Yet, despite the support for national service, Senator Kennedy himself emphasized the importance of proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars, noting during a 1993 floor speech on the establishment of the corporation that ``Congress will not, and should not, fund a program if it is unsuccessful.'' I agree with him. AmeriCorps has had 29 years to prove itself, and the only thing it has proven is that it is a drain on taxpayers and a massive disappointment. This is a failed agency that needs to be overhauled completely or just eliminated.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, college enrollment decreased this year by a million students. Although many claim dropping enrollment is a crisis, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. This is an opportunity to see that Americans are making more decisions that are best for them. This is an opportunity for Americans to see that college is not the only pathway to a successful career. This is an opportunity for institutions of higher education to rethink how best to serve students. As the Republican leader of the Education and Labor Committee and a former educator, I know the importance of giving every American the opportunity to climb the economic ladder through pursuit of postsecondary education. Yet, the college-for-all mentality has forced many Americans to obtain expensive degrees which may not prepare them for a satisfying career when they could have thrived on an alternative career path. It also allowed institutions to maintain the status quo of high prices and often questionable value. College is not the only pathway to a fulfilling career. Falling college enrollment could demonstrate that more Americans are weighing the cost of college and deciding it just might not be worth it. A study by the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity found that the return on investment for obtaining a bachelor's degree varies significantly. The report found that 37 percent of the programs have negative returns on investment, meaning that students will be financially worse off for having participated in those programs. Students can benefit from college only if they complete their degree. Historically, about 900,000 students leave college without finishing each year, according to Michael Petrilli, president of Fordham Institute. Petrilli surmises that individuals not registering for college could be some of the same students who would have dropped out anyway. The roughly 40 percent of students who leave college without a degree are often left with a mountain of student debt and no wage increase to help pay it off. For these students it may have been a better option to enter the workforce, pursue a skilled profession, or put off college until the time was right rather than conforming to societal norms. The fact that college enrollment is down signals that more Americans are doing just that--that is, making decisions that are better for their lives and families. As more young people come to realize that college is not always a golden ticket, they are embracing alternative career paths. For example, more Americans are participating in apprenticeship programs or obtaining an associate degree in a high-skilled trade like welding technology or respiratory therapy. We should celebrate our country's diverse workforce, not belittle it. Looking down on careers in critical industries, especially during a historic labor shortage, is shortsighted. We should encourage more Americans to obtain the skills needed for these in-demand jobs. College is not the only way for Americans to move up economically. Many careers, particularly those in high-skilled trades, can lead to high and stable incomes. Most importantly, declining enrollments may be the wake-up call colleges and universities needed to finally convince them that they must change to meet the demands of students, families, and our workforce. The cost of attending college has exploded while student outcomes have remained stagnant. Why would we expect any different when the Federal Government, using taxpayer dollars, is willing to write universities a blank check without requiring any accountability to students and taxpayers? It is time for these institutions to get serious about providing an affordable education that will prepare students for the workforce. The drop in college enrollment shows that America is ready to change its attitude on ``college-for-all'' and accept that there are several pathways to the American Dream and lifelong success.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, the American people are asking one simple question: Why does the Biden administration hate energy freedom in America? They have asked that question every time they have gone to the gas station and seen prices skyrocketing. Now, they are asking that question as this administration is falling to its knees and begging Iran for a nuclear deal. Sacrificing our geopolitical leverage by appealing to our enemies is appalling, and it is the last thing that should ever be considered. Madam Speaker, this administration would rather be awarded a participation trophy than dig in and fight to put American interests first. That mentality is bankrupting our great country, and we have been led into a political minefield. It is a display of pure weakness and an absolute disgrace.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to salute a dedicated public servant and friend. After working for a series of Members of the House, including Representative Bill Goodling, Rob Green first served the Education and Workforce Committee from 1995 to 2001. Rob rejoined the committee 4 years ago and was an invaluable leader of the GOP workforce team until his recent retirement. As director of workforce policy, Rob worked tirelessly to protect the rights of workers and employers alike. He has dedicated years of his life to fighting for free market principles and to seeing that our country stays a self-governed republic. Whether we have been in the majority or in the minority, Rob has made addressing Federal overreach a top priority and has never been afraid to hold Federal agencies accountable. Rob's consummate professionalism when working with Members of Congress as well as Democrat staff allowed us to pass bipartisan bills such as the Retirement Improvement and Savings Enhancement Act, RISE, which will help many Americans prepare for a more secure future. Rob's work was also pivotal in helping us pass a ban on surprise billing. This fight for transparency in our medical system has been a passion of Rob's and will help millions of struggling Americans. Rob's influence extended way beyond the committee. GOP leadership also relied on Rob to shape policy in the labor arena, ensuring that the American worker's voice gets heard. His relationship with lawmakers and staff throughout the House allowed the committee to flourish and accomplish a tremendous amount. Too often populist lobbies have an out-sized influence over politics in Washington. Rob's work on this committee ensured that the voices of job creators and small business owners were heard. This is a difficult day for me as I relied on Rob's expertise and keen eye for strategy to further this committee's mission. Thankfully, his expertise will live on in the team that he has led and mentored for 4 years. Mr. Speaker, I commend Rob for his many accomplishments and for his selfless service to this country. It is because of dedicated public servants like Rob standing in the gap and defending our Republic that we have a chance at reclaiming the vision our Founding Fathers had for this Nation. Mr. Speaker, I truly congratulate Rob on his retirement. He has earned it.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, President Zelensky of Ukraine is a rock-ribbed leader who will fight and deliver for his country, and Americans are standing with the Ukrainians, who are fighting so bravely for their country. It is damning that Americans can't say the same for the person who is supposed to be the leader of the free world as we can for President Zelensky. Our leader kneecapped American energy production by eliminating the Keystone XL pipeline and empowered Putin by waiving sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in Europe. Due to that abysmal decision, the U.S. is now explicitly not targeting Russia's energy sector with sanctions. It is as if he wanted America to be dependent on Putin and autocrats in Russia indefinitely. We could have done more to stop what has happened in Ukraine. Americans support the Ukrainians and want to see a change in our energy policy. What is happening now is damaging our country and our standing in the free world.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Utah for yielding to me today. Mr. Speaker, I was encouraged to see George Washington University, GW, reverse its decision to censor posters highlighting the human rights abuses of the Chinese Communist Party, CCP. The Olympic-themed posters bring attention to the CCP for its oppression of Tibetans and Uyghurs. They also denounce China for undermining democracy in Hong Kong, implementing an authoritarian surveillance system over its own people, and for its dishonesty in the handling of COVID-19. Calling these posters racist is absurd and a dishonest attempt to pander to an authoritarian regime housing ethnic minorities in modern- day concentration camps. They aren't promoting racism but decrying it. Allowing students to stand up for human rights and democratic values on college campuses should not be a point of controversy. Condemning ethnic cleansing and genocide is not controversial. Condemning the erosion of privacy is not controversial. Condemning the destruction of democratic values is not controversial. In fact, condemning these crimes should be something that unites all Americans. The individuals who hung these posters are braver than many pundits and politicians who are turning a blind eye to the CCP's atrocities. We should celebrate their courage, not punish it. Too many universities tout free speech policies but punish those with different viewpoints for simply speaking their mind. We must allow our colleges and university campuses to be places that welcome free speech and an open exchange of ideas. Speech meant to incite violence is never acceptable, and I condemn racism in all its forms. Yet, we must ensure that we aren't letting politically motivated groups cry wolf whenever someone says something they may not want to hear or speaks up for the millions who cannot do so themselves. If cries of racism can be weaponized to silence political opponents, then our country will be ruled by the diktats of political correctness and a fear of censorship instead of rational free thought. If we want to stay a self-governed and free country, then we must protect our most fundamental rights, and this includes the freedom of speech. Colleges and universities must protect the free and open exchange of ideas. Silencing students or professors for challenging the status quo makes university officials no better than the Chinese Communist Party. In the end, GW made the right decision and should be commended for it. I hope other schools will learn from this and support free speech from the start.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Kentucky who has done a masterful job, along with Chairwoman Maloney, on this bill. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act. The Postal Service is projected to lose $160 billion over the next 10 years as mail volume decreases and costs continue to increase. If nothing changes, the Postal Service will run out of cash in 2024 and plead for another taxpayer bailout. This bill, coupled with Postmaster General DeJoy's 10-year reform plan, will return the Postal Service to a more sustainable path. It provides additional transparency mechanisms to help hold the Postal Service accountable for meeting its goals and ultimately lead its management to operate more efficiently. It also allows the Postal Service to choose the most economic reform of transportation, rather than using outdated rules that are not tailored to the modern needs of the Postal Service. The Postal Service Reform Act allows the Postmaster General to make two financial reforms that are key to the 10-year reform plan. It allows for Medicare integration and the elimination of the pre-funding obligations. Last Congress, I requested a recorded vote on H.R. 2382, the USPS Fairness Act, and I voted ``no'' on that bill because I believe it is irresponsible for the Postal Service to shed its pre-funding obligations without making needed reforms so that taxpayers are not asked to repeatedly bail it out. Now I am pleased to say the Postal Service Reform Act delivers those substantial and badly needed reforms to the Postal Service, such that its fiscal stability will be restored. Even the Congressional Budget Office notes that this bill would save taxpayers nearly $1.5 billion over the next 10 years. This keeps the Postal Service solvent, and eliminates the need for further postal bailouts. Common ground is illusive in this body, Madam Speaker. I am proud to say that the bill before us today is truly a bipartisan step in the right direction to help the Postal Service fulfill its mission for years to come. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the amendment.