Virginia Foxx

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I thank my colleague from Virginia for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition of H.J. Res. 76, a resolution that would overturn the Education Department's effort to assist students who have been defrauded by colleges and universities while also taking necessary precautions to protect taxpayer interests. Democrats have resorted to political finger-pointing on this issue at every turn. First, Education and Labor Committee Democrats held a hearing at the end of last year to hurl unfounded and personal attacks at Secretary DeVos. Then they passed H.J. Res. 76 shortly after to overturn the Education Department's borrower defense rules; and now, after President Trump has vetoed this resolution, the Democrats still can't take no for an answer and want to override the President's veto. As we stand here today--yet again--to watch the Democrats' political games unfold, I would like to begin by highlighting real priorities we are letting fall by the wayside as we waste time debating this partisan resolution. For starters, we should be working on bipartisan solutions to combat the devastating effects of the coronavirus. We should be addressing the concerns of small businesses--the backbone of our economy--and the workers whose livelihoods are being impacted by this crisis. Or we could address labor union shortcomings, including the widespread and brazen corruption amongst United Auto Worker, UAW, union leadership. We know the UAW senior union leaders engaged in money laundering, tax fraud, bribery, and embezzlement, yet no action has been taken to examine this abuse of power by union bosses. Unfortunately, Democrats have a long track record of pursuing ideological objectives at the expense of taxpayers, students, and schools. Today is no different, so I would like to spend some time touching upon the advantages of the Trump administration's new rule and providing context on the Obama-era borrower defense rule and its many shortcomings. The borrower defense rule was first released by the Education Department in 1994. Borrowers rarely used this process over the next 20 years, until 2015, when a large for-profit school closed. During the final stretch of his Presidency, the Obama administration used this school closure as an opportunity to issue new regulations on borrower defense. The caveat? A potential $42 billion price tag to be footed by taxpayers that encouraged tens of thousands of borrowers, whether they were harmed or not, to apply to have their loans forgiven. In fact, claim filings for loan forgiveness went from 59 submitted in the first 20 years to roughly 300,000 claims submitted in the last 5 years. Let me repeat that. For the first 20 years of the rule, there were 59 claims. Then the Obama administration begins encouraging frivolous appeals, and the appeals jumped to 300,000 and climbing. This shouldn't come as a surprise. Massive loan forgiveness has long been a Democrat objective, and the Obama rule was a giant leap toward that goal--one that also ignored the high cost to taxpayers. Furthermore, the Obama administration's regulations were convoluted, blurring the line between fraud and inadvertent mistakes made by schools. The distinction between the two is important because, if institutions are found to engage in fraud, the Education Department can cause schools to close--despite no intentional wrongdoing--through significant financial penalties. But don't just take my word for it. Colleges and universities, including historically Black colleges and universities, HBCUs, voiced concerns about the Obama regulation. Postsecondary education leaders believed what President Obama's administration proposed could ruin those colleges and universities that did not have large endowments or significant revenue streams like the Ivy League institutions. The Obama rule could shutter the very institutions designed and dedicated to serving low-income, minority, and first-generation students. Additionally, The Washington Times pointed out: ``Under the Obama rule, students in the coronavirus era who could not attend classes on campus and were forced to take makeshift Zoom classes would have legitimate claims against their schools because the Obama rule does not differentiate between willful misrepresentation and schools' varied responses to the coronavirus. Great for trial lawyers, but bad for students and their schools.'' The Obama regulations created more chaos than clarity, and the Trump administration recognized immediately the need to right these wrongs. So, working with the Education Department, President Trump produced a rule with clearer standards for borrower defense and increased transparency for both students and institutions. The rule, first and foremost, holds all schools accountable. Students who have been lied to and suffered financial harm are entitled to relief and forgiveness. Let me repeat that. The Trump administration's borrower defense rule delivers relief to students, including veterans, who have been lied to and suffered financial harm. In fact, the Obama rule undermined the ability of veterans to earn relief if the institution was considered an elite liberal arts institution. In contrast, President Trump's rule makes sure students have the last word no matter what institution they attend. Democrats will have you believe that the President and Secretary DeVos want to intentionally harm students who have been defrauded by an institution of higher education, and that is simply not the case. While my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are willing to spend taxpayer money recklessly, President Trump's rule actually reduces the cost of the 2016 Obama-era regulations by $11 billion because it helps students go to and complete their education rather than closing schools indiscriminately. This is an $11 billion savings for American taxpayers during a time when many are struggling to make ends meet. Additionally, the Trump borrower defense rule holds all institutions, not just for-profit colleges, accountable for misrepresentations instead of picking winners and losers at considerable cost to taxpayers. It ensures due process for all parties; extends the look- back window to qualify for closed school loan discharges from 120 to 180 days so when schools close more students are eligible for forgiveness; and allows for arbitration, which could result in borrowers recovering resources such as cash payments or other expenses not provided by the Education Department. Furthermore, this rule is the result of more than 2 years of deliberations, public hearings, and negotiations with higher education stakeholders, as well as considering, incorporating, and responding to public comments on this issue. Thanks to this regulatory reset, all colleges and universities will be held accountable, defrauded students will see relief, and taxpayer dollars will be better protected. Republicans stand ready to provide relief to students who have been harmed by fraud, and the borrower defense rule issued by the Trump administration delivers on that front. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge a ``no'' vote on this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson).

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Smucker).

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I find it interesting that my colleague would say the President ``very quietly and behind closed doors'' vetoed a bill. They issued a statement on it almost immediately, so it wasn't exactly quietly. Generally, they have to veto a bill at a desk with people present. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen).

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Keller), another great member of the committee.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David P. Roe).

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Byrne).

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Watkins).

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, contrary to the Democrats' claims that we have heard today, the Trump administration and Republicans in the House are committed to providing relief to students who have been truly harmed by fraudulent practices. The Obama administration's borrower defense rule, though, was extremely difficult to administer. It left students and institutions confused, encouraged massive and unnecessary loan forgiveness, and created a hefty bill for taxpayers. Anyone who believes it was a streamlined process, I will show you some swampland in New Mexico. President Trump acted quickly to protect borrowers and taxpayers better. The 2019 borrower defense rule clarified standards and made a process more accessible. If Democrats overturn the President's veto, we will be left with the convoluted Obama rule. Under the rules associated with today's legislation, there can be no revisions made even to improve or clarify the Obama rule. We want all schools to serve students well. In particular, we want veterans and their education benefits protected. In this administration, they will be. Mr. Speaker, I have worked hard all my life to help people get a good education and have a better life. I would not be supporting the overturn of this rule if that was not the direction in which we were going. The Education Department's borrower defense rule protects all student borrowers, including veterans; holds higher education institutions accountable; and saves taxpayers $11 billion. Unfortunately, Democrats will stop at nothing to tear down meaningful reforms ushered in under President Trump's leadership, even if it comes at the expense of our Nation's students. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, over the past few months, we have seen remarkable progress in the fight against COVID-19. Our small businesses, manufacturers, and even schools have stepped up to produce necessary PPE for their communities and frontline providers. As of last month, Wilkes Community College Ashe Campus--located in my district--delivered over 741 3D-printed face shields to various locations in the High Country. Originally, this 3D printing endeavor was going to support Ashe Memorial Hospital, but now it has turned into a regional resource for healthcare providers across western North Carolina. To Mike Windish and Chris Kearley--the two engineering instructors at Wilkes Community College--and their colleagues who are spearheading this effort, thank you, and keep up the good work.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert), my colleague and my classmate, for yielding time to me this evening. Mr. Speaker, at such a pivotal moment in the history of our country, Democrats are choosing posturing over progress. Yesterday, Senate Democrats blocked consideration of the JUSTICE Act, and claimed it did not go far enough to address their issues with regards to police reform. One of the most puzzling pieces to this story that even after Senator Scott offered to increase the allotment of amendments on the bill, Senate Democrats turned around and walked out of the room. They had the opportunity to work in the spirit of bipartisanship, but they ignored it. Are they genuinely afraid of bipartisan collaboration, or are they more focused on scoring political points with their own base? You be the judge. Mr. Speaker, over the past few weeks, we have heard dangerous rhetoric regarding the defunding of law enforcement, and it is downright concerning. The men and women of law enforcement lay down their lives every day in the line of duty. And this course of action that Democrats are championing is an affront to health, safety, and security of our communities. Law and order are fundamental tenets of a free society, but when anarchy is assigned a higher value than protecting the American people, the lines become blurred and discord will prevail. Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not address imprudent comments made on Tuesday by the Speaker of the House. She asserted that Republicans are trying to get away with the murder of George Floyd. Let her words sink in for a moment. Two weeks ago, Democrat leadership called passing police reform ``a life-or-death situation.'' But now that we have introduced legislation that addresses this issue, they have changed their tune entirely. Republicans stand at the ready to deliver this reform while Speaker Pelosi is looking for the next media sound bite. Her rhetoric is nothing short of disgraceful. Instead of sowing seeds of division and resorting to crafting legislation behind closed doors, it is time that she and our colleagues across the aisle come to the table to work alongside of us. Maybe it is too daunting of a task for them. Forsaking bipartisanship in favor of a my-way-or-the-highway approach will not move us closer to enacting meaningful police reform. Mr. Speaker, we are ready to work with our Democrat colleagues, and all they need to do is pull a seat up to the table and join us.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend President Trump and the administration for taking decisive action to lower drug costs for America's seniors. Currently, 34.2 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. One in every three seniors on Medicare has diabetes, and over 3.3 million beneficiaries use at least one type of insulin. Thanks to President Trump, the out-of-pocket cost for insulin has been cut. Participating plans will cap costs at just $35 a month per type of insulin. This is tremendous news. For far too long, seniors have been subjected to escalating insulin prices. Now, Americans will save an average of $446 on insulin costs in just a year. I thank President Trump for continuing to put the American people first. Administration Aiding North Carolina

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, there is no substitute for swift and decisive action. Since the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in China, President Trump and the administration have worked tirelessly to protect the American people. First, President Trump closed our borders and enacted a travel ban to protect the American people. This was a necessary precaution that undoubtedly saved lives. In response, the mainstream media's political pundits cried foul and claimed this was an ill-advised tactic intended to score political points. That could not be farther from the truth. Sadly, my colleagues across the aisle and those in the media would rather search for the newest outrage du jour instead of focusing on the efforts of the President and the administration to combat COVID-19. It is time to correct the record and cast aside the falsehoods that Democrats and the mainstream media are pushing against President Trump and the administration. For example, let's look at what is being done to help North Carolinians during this pandemic. Under the direction of President Trump, FEMA has obligated almost $30 million for COVID-19 response efforts in North Carolina. From the Strategic National Stockpile, North Carolina received to date: Over 250,000 N95 masks; over 580,000 surgical masks; over 100,000 medical gowns; over 115,000 face shields; and over 425,000 pairs of gloves. In addition, President Trump approved Governor Roy Cooper's Major Disaster Declaration, and then directed FEMA to fund 100 percent of the emergency assistance activities provided by the North Carolina National Guard. President Trump and the administration are deeply committed to protecting not only North Carolinians, but also Americans across our country. If my colleagues across the aisle shared the same sentiment of being ``in it together,'' they would work with us to deliver for the American people and set aside their relentless impeachment crusade. It is time to get our country back on its feet, and I am proud that President Trump and the administration are working day in and day out to do so. We will win this fight, and I am certain we will emerge stronger and more resilient.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, our Nation's frontline workers must be commended for their tireless work during this pandemic. I am reminded of the 2,200 employees in my district who work at the Tyson Food plant in Wilkesboro. These men and women come to work every day to help put food on kitchen tables across the country. This week, a Wilkesboro salon restricted access to Tyson employees out of caution for COVID-19. While the salon owner's intentions may be good, there are safety measures that can be enacted to protect all patrons and employees. It is critical that we understand the challenges that these frontline workers are facing, and we must do everything we can to support them. Exclusionary actions are not the solution. We are in this fight together, and we must take care of one another.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Oklahoma for yielding. Today is a dark day in the history of our country, and for that, I rise in opposition to H. Res. 965, partisan legislation that would upend more than 200 years of precedent and jeopardize the deliberative process of the House of Representatives. States have started reopening businesses, schools, and local economies. Congress should be following suit. Yet, this is the first time the House has come to semiregular order in over 2 weeks. Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats are holding the people's House hostage. They would rather erect and prolong a partisan blockade instead of doing the people's business in the open. Members of Congress should not be on the sidelines. We can and should get back to official business, especially committee work. Hearings and markups are a critical function of the people's House. Without passing ill-conceived legislation that jeopardizes our democratic institution, the House proved 2 weeks ago, and again today, that we can conduct business while following health guidelines. There is no reason congressional committees can't do the same. Sadly, the Democrats are using this pandemic to justify gutting the Constitution and our practices, and it is disgraceful.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Oklahoma for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 6800, Speaker Pelosi's socialist wish list act. At a time when Americans are stepping up for one another, it is truly disheartening to watch House Democrats and Speaker Pelosi fail to deliver for our Nation's families, workers, and businesses. As frustrating as it may be, it is not surprising. Democrats routinely disregard their own party's calls for bipartisan collaboration and accountability by meeting in secret, behind closed doors, without committee consensus to craft partisan monstrosities like the one we are set to vote on. To satisfy the most extreme socialist left, Democrats are pushing a radical $3 trillion scheme that includes taxpayer bailouts for union- run pensions and money to illegal aliens, which will do nothing to help this Nation combat COVID-19. This is not a relief package. It is Speaker Pelosi's partisan, 1,800- page socialist shopping list. We should defeat it.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, time is of the essence. Our country has been upended by COVID-19. Businesses have shuttered their doors, families sitting around their kitchen tables are struggling to make ends meet, our healthcare workers are stretched thin, and our economy has been hurt. Yet, earlier this week, some of my colleagues across the aisle attempted to commandeer negotiations to advance socialist provisions that are antithetical to combatting COVID-19. Now is not the time for political showmanship. The eyes of our nation are affixed to Congress, and it's our solemn duty to protect the American people. To our nation's deeply committed healthcare workers who put their lives on the line to treat and protect patients, our nation's truck drivers who deliver food and critical supplies to grocery stores and businesses, manufacturers who have stepped up to the plate to produce PPE's and other essential equipment, and our steadfast police officers and first responders on the front lines of this crisis, we truly owe you a debt of gratitude. May God bless you all.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the late Howard Blackburn of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina for his recent induction into the Wilkes County Agricultural Hall of Fame. Howard Blackburn epitomized a life of excellence and service. He served in the military during World War Two and the Korean war. Howard Blackburn influenced thousands of lives through his leadership in education and agriculture. Through his work at Wilkes Community College, where he served as director of the life sciences program, Mr. Blackburn helped thousands of students develop farming skills. Howard Blackburn is perhaps best known throughout Wilkes County for his contributions to beekeeping. He helped found the Beekeepers of Wilkes, and personally served as an instructor and mentor for decades. He helped many, many other people understand the importance of bees to our lives. He always maintained the highest standards of meticulous conduct and expected others to strive to the same level of excellence. Howard Blackburn is a shining example of service that we should all seek to emulate.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2339. While I don't doubt the majority's sincere interest in reducing nicotine use among minors, this bill is a premature and poorly thought-out attempt to do so. Instead of building on bipartisan efforts to address teenage smoking, such as raising the age to purchase tobacco to 21, H.R. 2339 broadly overreaches and contains provisions that would unacceptably restrict the choice of adult consumers. It would have a negligible impact on teenage tobacco use and, instead, could actually increase the use of illicit and more dangerous tobacco products. As my colleagues have pointed out this morning, most on the other side of the aisle favor legalizing marijuana, which has proven to be harmful and leads to worse drugs, but will vote for this bad bill. If one is concerned about teenagers, don't push marijuana. This bill does nothing to address the actual injuries we do see from vaping products, which are typically associated with illegal THC vapor products and not the products covered under H.R. 2339. This is a bad bill, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the 613 Azerbaijani men, women, and children killed in Khojaly on February 25 and 26, 1992. We must never forget this tragedy and must work to prevent such atrocities from occurring again. Since the early 1990s, Azerbaijan has been involved in a conflict with its neighbor to the West, Armenia. The Khojaly tragedy was the single worst day in this conflict, resulting in hundreds of lives lost, families devastated, and the town destroyed. A cease-fire to the conflict was negotiated in 1994, but the conflict remains unresolved. The U.S. and Azerbaijan established diplomatic relations in 1992, the same year as the Khojaly tragedy. Since then, Azerbaijan has been a key partner in the War on Terror, and the two nations share a Trade Relations Agreement and a Bilateral Investment Treaty. Given our deepening ties with Azerbaijan, it is important for the United States to support a peaceful settlement to the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict. The anniversary of this tragedy is an appropriate time to honor the victims of these atrocities and reflect on the need for all parties to work together to bring a swift end to this conflict. I urge my colleagues to join me in standing with Azerbaijanis as they commemorate this tragedy.