Virginia Foxx

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 706 provides a closed rule for the consideration of H.R. 4901, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act, as it is the product of careful bipartisan and bicameral negotiations. It also provides a closed rule for the consideration of H.J. Res. 88, disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to the definition of the term ``fiduciary,'' which is traditional for Congressional Review Act resolutions. The underlying bill and resolution we will consider today are important steps forward on two issues of great concern to Americans: education and retirement savings. H.R. 4901, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act, also known as the SOAR Reauthorization Act, would continue important funding provided to help young students here in Washington, D.C., reach their full potential. This legislation would provide $60 million annually for 5 years, split equally among the District's public schools, charter schools, and the District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program, which enables low-income students to attend a private school that would otherwise be out of their reach. I have great confidence that the SOAR Reauthorization Act is a positive step for students in the District of Columbia and that, through its example, it will provide a model for success that could be adopted by States across the country. With the adoption of this rule, the House will also provide for the consideration of H.J. Res. 88, a Congressional Review Act resolution disapproving of the Department of Labor's fiduciary rule, a rule that will otherwise soon take effect and limit the ability of Americans to receive adequate advice on how to allocate their retirement savings. If enacted, this resolution will prevent the red tape and other burdensome mandates that threaten to cut off access to trusted financial advisers and may result in lower savings rates and returns on investment. As Americans are clamoring for more assistance with retirement savings and financial decisions, we must ensure that they are encouraged to continue saving and are able to receive helpful guidance. Stopping the harmful fiduciary rule is an important step in that direction. Mr. Speaker, I commend this rule and both the underlying bill and resolution. I ask my colleagues for their support. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to say a few additional things on the benefit of the SOAR Reauthorization Act. When the Opportunity Scholarship Program, OSP, was first designed, D.C. public school students had the lowest test scores in the Nation. D.C. schools have improved since then, but D.C. public school students continue to test well below national averages. D.C. OSP students are seeing improved achievement against non-OSP students in reading and in graduation rates. In addition, the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program does not take away money from the D.C. public and charter schools nor does it reallocate D.C. education money. In fact, H.R. 4901 directs additional Federal resources to the D.C. education system that would not otherwise be available if not for the OSP. Finally, there are thousands of families on charter school waiting lists who aren't able to access the schools their children need. OSP allows income-eligible families to get into high-quality district or charter schools who would not otherwise have access to education alternatives. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. We are considering crucial legislation today impacting two important issues, ensuring Americans are able to save for retirement and enabling the education of our next generation. As any parent knows, the education of our children is one of our highest priorities. For far too long, children in Washington, D.C., have not received the education they deserve, and have suffered from unacceptable achievement levels and graduation rates. The SOAR Reauthorization Act, which this rule provides for consideration of, continues a successful three- sector approach to improving the lives and educational outcomes of low- income students in the District. It provides $60 million in funding for students, split equally among D.C.'s public schools, charter schools, and scholarships for students to attend private schools that would otherwise be out of reach. Students receiving private school educations have demonstrated higher test scores and significantly higher graduation rates, showcasing the importance of continuing students' access to these institutions. Students participating in the Opportunity Scholarship Program reauthorized in this legislation have graduated at a rate of 90 percent, besting both other schools in D.C. where only 64 percent of students graduate and the national graduation rate of 82 percent. These programs are an important example of the need for innovation and experimentation in how to best reform our education system to benefit students, not entrenched interests. It has been an honor for me personally to witness some of the students who benefited from the programs included in the SOAR Reauthorization Act. After seeing the hope for the future those students have in their eyes, I cannot fathom preventing other students from receiving their own second chances. It has also been my pleasure over the past several decades to join my husband in working with a number of financial advisers on how best to save for retirement and our other financial goals. Those advisers have always acted in the best interest of our family and provided useful advice that has enabled us to meet our goals. Unfortunately, I believe that not everyone in Washington believes financial advisers are well-intentioned and skilled. It is my fear that, as private sector actors, not government employees, they are suspected by some of being motivated by greed and taking any opportunity available to take their clients' money for their own. That is a disturbing viewpoint that has no place in reality. These advisers work with their friends and neighbors in their home communities. The larger companies are brands that have been well established for decades and are subject to significant regulation and public scrutiny from customers and the marketplace. If there were widespread fleecing of those saving for retirement, we would all rightly hear about it. The reality is that the vast majority of financial advisers, large and small, have been and will continue to act in their clients' best interests. There are laws and regulations in place to ensure bad actors are identified and punished, and I support those enforcement efforts wholeheartedly. What I and other Members cannot support is another effort by the Department of Labor to vilify an industry with real consequences for the ability of Americans to save affordably for retirement. We must strengthen our focus on stopping and punishing bad actors instead of increasing rules and regulations that hinder the countless good actors in this industry. We have a retirement savings crisis in this Nation, Mr. Speaker, and it is vital that every American has access to high-quality advice and an array of financial products available at a low cost. We can continue to trust Americans to make the right choice. The fiduciary rule takes that right away, and therefore, I am pleased to have an opportunity today to vote on H.J. Res. 88, disapproving the fiduciary rule. Mr. Speaker, I believe both the underlying bill and resolution are necessary steps on issues of great import to our Nation, and I commend them and this rule, providing for their consideration, to all of my colleagues for their support.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month I visited with students in the Cyberkids after-school program at Bethlehem Elementary School in Alexander County. This program enriches learning through research, team collaboration, and communication in the STEM areas. We started the visit by discussing the U.S. Constitution. Then the students staged a skit that explained the process of how a bill becomes a law. In the performance, they detected a problem, came up with a solution, and collected signatures for a petition they presented to their representative, who introduced a bill, and demonstrated how Members of the House and Senate arrive at a compromise and turn legislation into law. I had the honor of signing the legislation, and the students held a mock press conference to discuss the new law. The aptitude these students showed during my visit was impressive and inspiring, and I commend everyone involved in this innovative educational program.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize HanesBrands, a company headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with a long history of innovation, product excellence, and brand recognition. Hanes recently earned its seventh consecutive partner-of-the-year award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program. The company was recognized for its continued excellence in energy conservation, carbon emissions avoidance, and environmental sustainability. Since 2007, Hanes, the world's largest marketer of basic apparel, has reduced its energy use by 25 percent, water use by 31 percent, and carbon emissions by 21 percent. Last year Hanes derived 25 percent of its worldwide energy needs from renewable sources, including biomass, hydroelectric, geothermal, and wind. With its continued commitment to excellence, Hanes is a valued corporate partner in the local community. It is a pleasure to have this outstanding company in North Carolina's Fifth District.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, last week, I visited Forbush Elementary School in East Bend, North Carolina. While I was there, I had a chance to meet with the impressive students who are a part of the For-BOTS robotics team. Although Forbush Elementary has only had a robotics team for 2 years, its students are already racking up awards. The For-BOTS team was named the grand champion of Yadkin County's First Lego League Robotics Tournament. The team also placed first in the Robot Table Performance and Project Presentation categories in a regional tournament in Boone. Additionally, the For-BOTS placed first in Robot Programming in the North Carolina first Lego League Tournament, and they claimed a second place award in Robot Table Performance. It is always a pleasure to visit Yadkin County Schools and witness the great things happening in classrooms across the county. It is clear the teachers and the administrators at Forbush Elementary are providing an educational experience that equips students for success.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Dr. Anthony Atala, director of the Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Atala is the leader of a team of scientists at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center who have proved the feasibility of using a sophisticated, custom-designed 3-D printer to create living tissue structures to replace injured or diseased tissue in patients. The team has been able to print ear, bone, and muscle structures that, when implanted in animals, were able to mature into functional tissue and develop a system of blood vessels. Early results indicate that the structures have the right size, strength, and function for use in humans, and the team aims to implant bio-printed muscle, cartilage, and bone in patients in the future. We are fortunate to have Dr. Atala and his team conducting this pioneering research that may change the face of modern medicine in North Carolina's Fifth District.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is World Water Day. It is an opportunity to learn more about water-related issues and find ways to make a difference. Growing up in the mountains of North Carolina, I lived in a house without electricity or running water. That experience taught me very quickly and very early in life that water is a valuable and precious resource when you have to carry it home from a spring twice a day, and that lesson has stayed with me. Many of us take for granted that when we turn on our taps or faucets, water will always be there. However, more than 660 million people lack access to safe water and 1.2 billion people live in areas with inadequate water supply. There are many organizations throughout our country and throughout the world that are working to change that situation. We can support the many organizations that aim to preserve and defend this vital natural resource, but it is also important that we evaluate how we use water as individuals. On World Water Day, I hope all of us will explore how we can take steps to preserve this fundamental resource and make it safe and accessible for the world's population.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Lummis for her leadership in this Special Order this afternoon and for all the great work that she has done. She is a wonderful role model for women. She has lent her expertise as the former treasurer of her State, and has brought much, much talent to the House of Representatives. I appreciate all that she has done since she has been here. We all know, I think, that March is Women's History Month, which honors and celebrates the struggles and achievements of American women throughout the history of the United States. Since 1917, when Republican Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman to serve in Congress, 313 women have served as U.S. Representatives, Senators, or Delegates. Many Americans might assume that their congressional Representatives come from exclusive and rarified backgrounds. Well, my story could hardly be less rarified. As a child, my family's home didn't have electricity or running water. My parents, while dedicated and hardworking, were very poor, with little formal education. Girls with my background weren't likely to end up in Congress. Fortunately, I was pushed by the right people, teachers and administrators who wouldn't let me settle for less than my best. In the mountains of North Carolina, I learned firsthand the power of education and its vital role in the success of every American. Although it took me 7 years while working full-time, I became the first in my family to go to college and earn a degree. In the 1970s, I was a member of the League of Women Voters. Through the League, I attended school board meetings in my county as a public observer to encourage accountability of elected officials. I went to countless meetings, many times as the only person representing the general public. During one meeting of an all-male school board, a local reporter leaned over and said: These guys are incompetent. Why don't you run for the school board? My instinctive response was: I am not qualified. I think many women fall prey to this attitude of self- disqualification and underestimate their abilities. I took another look at those board members and changed my mind. Eventually, I ran for the school board. While I lost that first race, I won the next election for school board, and I haven't lost an election since. So while I may not have had wealthy parents or an Ivy League education, I did have what every single American has: opportunity. A few weeks ago I spoke to a local Girl Scout troop about Congress and its role in our government. As the group was leaving my office, one of the parents pulled me aside and said how glad she was that the girls had the opportunity to hear from a woman in my position. Women are a stronger presence than ever before on Capitol Hill. We have rich and varied perspectives and a commitment to good ideas and teamwork. The women of the 114th Congress are shaping our Nation, and it is an opportunity and responsibility that we take seriously. Although I am now serving in my sixth term as a Representative from North Carolina, I am still really a teacher at heart, having spent the lion's share of my life working as an educator and administrator in North Carolina colleges and universities. I believe confronting the challenges facing American schools and workplaces is critical to providing opportunity for every individual to get ahead. That is why, as chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training, I have led efforts to modernize and reform the Nation's workforce development system. I appreciate very much my colleague mentioning that. In 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act was signed into law. This bipartisan, bicameral compromise between the SKILLS Act that I authored and the Senate's Workforce Investment Act of 2013 streamlines and improves existing Federal workforce development programs and fosters a modern workforce that American businesses can rely on to compete. House Republicans have also fought to limit one-size-fits-all Federal dictates that hamper innovation and limit the ability of States and local schools to address their students' needs. Last fall we passed the Every Student Succeeds Act, which reverses Washington's micromanagement of classrooms and gives parents, teachers, and local education leaders the tools they need to repair a broken system and help all children reach their potential. Unfortunately, many Americans still struggle to realize the dream of higher education because our current system is often expensive, inflexible, and outdated. Too many students are unable to complete college, saddled with loan debt and ill-equipped to compete in our modern economy. The United States is the world's summit of opportunity, and we have a responsibility to act now to preserve that role. House Republicans are pursuing reforms that will help all individuals, regardless of age, location, or background, access and complete higher education, if they choose. We are working to empower students and families to make informed decisions. We want to simplify and improve student aid as well as promote innovation access and completion. We are committed to ensuring strong accountability and a limited Federal role. By keeping college within reach for students and preserving the excellence in diversity that has always set America's colleges and universities apart, our country and our economy stand to benefit. While Women's History Month celebrates the incredible accomplishments of women throughout America's history, the most lasting tribute we can pay is our efforts to improve this Nation for the next generation of women. Rather than simply being discouraged by the many problems facing our country and our world, I have learned to be an agent of change focused on the problems that can be solved and the people who can be helped. I thank my friend who encouraged me back in the 1970s to run for the school board because of the opportunities it has provided me to help other people throughout my life.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today is National Agriculture Day, where we recognize and celebrate the important role that agriculture plays in the United States. As a lifelong farmer--on a small scale at times--and a longtime Christmas tree grower, I am committed to actively engaging in the creation of responsible farm policies that honor taxpayers while protecting the way of life of North Carolina's farming families. The Fifth District of North Carolina has a rich agricultural tradition, and it is a privilege to work with local farmers to ensure they have the tools they need to continue producing their outstanding commodities. I will keep looking for legislative innovations that ensure North Carolina's farmers are free to compete, adapt, and seize opportunities to safely maximize production and meet the needs of America and the world.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to talk about a blight that nearly rendered the American chestnut extinct and recognize a teacher in Alexander County, North Carolina, who is helping to lead in the rebirth of these great trees. The American chestnut was once the dominant hardwood species in the Eastern United States. Prior to the European colonization of North America, American chestnut trees were found in vast stands from Maine to Florida, with the largest trees occurring in the southern Appalachians. When early European settlers arrived, the species was used in many different ways, including providing timber and tools. The edible nut was also a significant contributor to the rural economy. Families would collect the nuts to sell and eat, and they were also used as feed for livestock. Domesticated hogs and cattle were often fattened for market by allowing the animals to gorge themselves on these highly nutritious nuts. Chestnut ripening coincided with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, and turn-of-the-century newspaper clippings show traincars rolling into major cities that were overflowing with chestnuts to be sold fresh or roasted. The American chestnut was truly a heritage tree. However, the booming trade industry introduced fungal diseases that would change the species composition of eastern North American forests. A root rot disease, thought to have caused mortality of chestnuts in low, moist areas infested southern populations of the American chestnut and constricted its natural range. This fungal disease was followed by the more commonly known chestnut blight, which spread throughout eastern hardwood forests at a rate of up to 50 miles per year. By the 1950s, virtually all mature American chestnut trees had succumbed to the disease, and this catastrophe became known as one of the worst ecological disasters in the United States. The American chestnut has been relegated to a minor understory component, existing as sprouts from old stumps and root systems. Today modern techniques are being used to bring the species back from near extinction, but the success of these efforts will be the result of decades of genetic hybridization. The American Chestnut Foundation has embarked on an elaborate and time-consuming breeding program to develop a tree that can withstand blight and exhibit virtually every characteristic of the American chestnut of the past. By backcrossing the American chestnut with the blight-resistant Chinese chestnut, the foundation has produced the Restoration chestnut. Last December The American Chestnut Foundation planted four Restoration chestnuts on the campus of Alexander Central High School in Taylorsville. Becky Dupuis, a biotech and biology teacher with Alexander County Schools, has partnered with the foundation to gather information about the health, diversity, and blight resistance of these trees. Her students will actively participate in collecting data, documenting growth rates, and transplanting American chestnut sprouts in Alexander County. Ms. Dupuis should be commended for raising awareness about the American chestnut and for her work to reintroduce these giants to their rightful place in Alexander County and America's ecosystem.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday President Obama presented his plan to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay and proposed transferring up to 60 prisoners to the United States mainland. Bringing dangerous terrorists to the American homeland has been consistently rejected by bipartisan majorities in Congress. The President's plan is lacking key details required under the law, including the exact cost and location of an alternate detention facility. On the same day that the President announced his plan, Spanish and Moroccan police arrested four suspected members of a jihadi cell that sought to recruit fighters for Islamic State, including one individual described as a former Guantanamo detainee who once fought with militants in Afghanistan. President Obama's stubborn insistence on fulfilling an ill-advised campaign promise to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay distracts from ongoing threats to American national security and highlights the failures of his foreign policy agenda.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, President Obama released his budget for fiscal year 2017. Some might call this proposal a vision for the future of the country. Well, I am here to tell you the President's vision for America ignores our fiscal realities and the magnitude of the problems we face. The national debt is nearly $19 trillion. Our country is in the middle of a fiscal crisis driven by reckless borrowing and runaway government spending, and President Obama once again offers us a budget filled with untenable tax hikes that never balances. Something has to change or the legacy we leave to our children and grandchildren will be a crushing debt burden and a weaker nation. Washington has a moral obligation to the American people to present a responsible budget that reins in wasteful Federal overspending and guarantees accountability for the use of taxpayer dollars. House Republicans will continue to do all we can to make this vision a reality.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, next week marks an important milestone in the history of North Carolina's Piedmont region--the 250th anniversary of the founding of the town of Salem. In 1752, Moravian Church leaders purchased a 100,000-acre tract in North Carolina from the British Lord Granville. On February 19, 1766, twelve Moravian brethren from nearby settlements made an 8-mile journey to establish the town of Salem, a new community that would serve as the tract's commercial center. Moravian Church leaders decided that the new town should have the convenience of running water to the buildings. The town built a waterworks, which was constructed by burying hollowed logs from springs located about a mile away. This addition to Salem's infrastructure attracted the attention of President George Washington, who visited in 1793. However, Washington was not the first famous visitor to Salem. In 1767, the royal Governor William Tryon heard about the building going on in North Carolina's northwest wilderness. He and his wife made the long journey from New Bern to examine the Moravians' new settlement firsthand. Along with its advanced plumbing, Salem was also at the forefront of innovative medicine and was home to the first university-educated physician in western North Carolina. In addition, Salem was known across the colonial South as a place of commerce and trade, renowned for its pottery, furniture, silver, and other artistic trades. In 1913, the town of Salem, with its focus on craftsmanship, sustainability, education, and religion merged with the fast-paced industrial town of Winston, thus becoming Winston-Salem. Today, Winston-Salem is the fifth largest city in North Carolina. It is home to six colleges and universities, including Salem College, the oldest continuously running women's college in the United States, as well as the prestigious Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State University. Reaffirming this time-honored tradition of forging boldly ahead, the city continues to build a diverse business space leading in the areas of nanotechnology research, finance, and manufacturing. The original settlement is a living history museum that engages visitors in an educational, historical experience about those who lived and worked in the early South. During the yearlong anniversary celebration, the Moravian Church, Old Salem, the City of Winston-Salem, and Forsyth County will honor important milestones in the town's 250-year history, such as George Washington's two-night visit to Salem in 1739 and the Nation's first public July 4th celebration that took place in 1783. Most importantly, the local community will come together to celebrate and reflect on how Salem's past informs its present and shapes its future.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Flonnie Anderson of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This remarkable and talented woman has spent her life accomplishing things ahead of her time, from majoring in theater during the 1940s to helping desegregate a community, to starting her own theater group. As a teacher at Parkland High School in 1970, Mrs. Anderson directed a play that starred both African American and Caucasian students, a first in the history of Forsyth County schools. As a director, she also helped integrate the theater department at Wake Forest University. She was the first African American actress to perform with the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem. From that point on, the Little Theatre became known as a place where the African American community could be treated equally. In recognition of her 34 years as an educator, Parkland High School in Winston-Salem has named their auditorium for Mrs. Anderson. This honor is well deserved and pays tribute to her lasting impact in the local community.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, for the past 7 years, President Obama has given us 47,625 words of meaningless rhetoric. Last night's State of the Union address was more of the same empty words. President Obama has never adequately focused on what really matters in this country: keeping America safe and defending our cherished freedoms. Instead, he wants to maintain the status quo and continues to promote top-down, one-size-fits-all Federal dictates that stymie economic growth. It is clear he doesn't understand the solutions that will get our Nation back on track with the American people, not Washington bureaucrats. President Obama promised hope and change, but his failed agenda has brought the wrong kind of change, and many North Carolinians are losing hope. Fortunately, Republicans are committed to restoring confidence in America and empowering her people to make their own decisions and pursue their own dreams.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to commend Unifi Manufacturing, Incorporated for its commitment to recycling. Headquartered in Greensboro, Unifi is a leading producer and processor of multifilament polyester and nylon textured yarns. They provide innovative, global textile solutions and unique branded yarns for customers at every level of the supply chain. Unifi employs about 950 people in North Carolina's Fifth District at its Repreve Recycling Center in Yadkinville. The company is currently constructing an 85,000-square-foot expansion that will more than double the size of the facility. Repreve is polyester yarn made from chips that come mainly from recycled plastic bottles and industrial fiber waste. These environmentally friendly yarns have been used in products for customers that include Ford, The North Face, Nike, Haggar, Quiksilver, Volcom, and Patagonia. For example, a classic fit casual dress pant by Haggar features seven recycled bottles. Seat covers in a Ford F-150 truck contain 16 recycled bottles. Unifi is currently converting about 42 million pounds of recycled products a year into chips at its Yadkinville facility. That includes 31 million pounds of post-consumer plastic bottles and 11 million pounds of post-industrial fiber and fabric waste. Once the expansion is complete, it will recycle 72 million pounds annually. At current production levels, the Yadkinville center accounts annually for the conversion of 900 million recycled plastic bottles and saves the equivalent of 16 million gallons of gasoline that would be required to make new polyester and nylon. Last spring, Unifi also opened a 1-megawatt solar farm onsite in Yadkinville. The solar farm is projected to provide about 10 percent of the energy needed to run the recycling center. Additionally, Unifi is expanding the Repreve brand through its 60 percent interest in Repreve Renewables, a biomass feedstock company that focuses on the direct sales of Freedom Giant Miscanthus to farmers. Some analysts believe this type of grass is extremely efficient in converting sunlight to biomass energy. It also produces more fuel than any other biofuel source. Repreve Renewables has had significant commercial success with Thrivez, its poultry bedding brand. Thrivez regrows annually without replanting, reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and minimizing water, herbicide, and fertilizer needs. Unifi has been profitable for 5 consecutive years, and Repreve has expanded from two main apparel customers in 2007 to 32 in 2015. I commend Unifi for achieving economic success through sustainability.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chairman, this amendment to title II, the ALERT Act, ensures that agencies and OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OIRA, report the cost of unfunded mandates imposed through the regulatory process. Federal agencies can advance government initiatives without using Federal taxpayer dollars by issuing regulations that pass compliance down to State and local governments and to private businesses. These costly mandates make it harder for companies to hire and for cash- strapped States, counties, and cities to keep streets safe and parks clean. My amendment requires agencies to include in their monthly reports to OIRA whether rules in the pipeline impose unfunded mandates, and requires OIRA to include in its annual cumulative assessment of new regulations the total cost of unfunded mandates imposed by the Federal Government. This amendment will not unduly burden agencies' regulatory work, as it requires only that they be transparent in their imposition of unfunded mandates on State and local governments and private businesses. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte).

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chairman, as I mentioned in the debate last night on a similar amendment, unfunded mandates are frequently overlooked in the debates about regulatory reform. However, these decisions have real costs and real effects on the individuals, families, and communities we each represent. While my amendment is a small change, it ensures that costs passed down to businesses, State and local governments are reported. I thank my colleagues for their consideration and ask for their support. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, our freedom rests on the cornerstone right we all have to life, and I fear we have lost sight of that. I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying motion to protect innocent lives and restore our liberty.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, this rule and the underlying motion to concur with the Senate amendment to H.R. 3762, the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act, mark a significant achievement for Americans who value life and economic liberty. After years of work and dozens of votes in the face of acerbic rhetoric hurled at us from across the aisle, this House will send to the President's desk legislation to remove the heavy hand of the Federal Government from Americans' health care and end the stream of taxpayer dollars that flows to an organization that brutally kills precious unborn lives. When the so-called Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, Republicans warned that the law would cause significant increases in the cost of health care and health insurance, reduce full-time jobs and work-hours available, and strain the safety net until it breaks. The American people were sold a bill of goods that has proven to be only a list of empty promises. Most of us recall clearly these assurances: that we could keep our insurance plans, that we could keep our doctors, and that our out-of-pocket costs would go down. Mr. Speaker, the letters, emails, and telephone calls from my constituents tell me clearly that the Affordable Care Act has proven to be anything but affordable for North Carolinians, and the law has limited access to care and wasted billions of taxpayer dollars. It is time to undo this harmful law. Also included in the Senate amendment is a provision first passed by this House to stop the flow of Federal mandatory funds to Planned Parenthood. While Planned Parenthood does not receive direct Federal funding for abortions, these actions are warranted, as a recent report from the Government Accountability Office shows that the organization receives an average of 500 million taxpayer dollars each year for other lines of business. Money is fungible and the Federal funds that Planned Parenthood receives ultimately subsidize their abortion services. Fortunately, there are many more options for women's health care than the discredited abortion provider, Planned Parenthood. While Planned Parenthood has only approximately 665 clinics, federally qualified health centers, FQHCs, and rural health centers, RHCs, have more than 13,000 publicly supported locations providing alternatives for women's health care. This means there are 20 federally funded comprehensive care clinics for every one Planned Parenthood. This bill does not change the availability of funds for women's health. It simply establishes a safeguard so that the Nation's largest abortion chain is not the one providing such services. When Federal taxpayers have legitimate concerns that their hard- earned dollars are flowing to organizations that sanction the dismemberment of unborn children and that our system of law has loopholes allowing these atrocities to continue, we, as their elected representatives, are responsible for ensuring these concerns are heard and responded to.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, as citizens of the United States, we are afforded basic rights and privileges under the Constitution. One of these fundamental rights is the Second Amendment, and its guarantee to keep and bear arms is clear. Yesterday, in yet another attempt to erode our basic liberties, President Obama announced plans to undermine the will of Congress and challenge the Second Amendment rights of all Americans. Just like his unilateral actions on immigration, this proposal is an overreach of the President's constitutionally granted executive authority. Congressional refusal to pass bad policy does not transfer legislative authority to the President, and I will fight against this attempt to diminish our constitutional rights. Guns are one of many tools that people use to commit horrific crimes, but the problem of evil cannot be legislated away. It is important that any legislative response, whether it is at the Federal, State, or local level, ensures that the constitutional rights of all citizens are protected.