Virginia Foxx

Ms. FOXX

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

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is relatively simple in that it adds consideration of unfunded mandates to the Commission's review of existing rules. Each year, Washington imposes thousands of rules and regulations. Rather than following the rules themselves and asking for funds for new programs, regulators pass the cost along to others by requiring the private sector, as well as State and local governments, to pay for new Federal initiatives through compliance costs. 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 asks the commission to consider in its review whether unfunded mandates imposed in existing regulations are economically defensible and the least burdensome policy option available. Federal agencies often advance Federal Government initiatives without using Federal taxpayer dollars by imposing regulations on local governments or the private sector. This simple amendment ensures that costs passed to State and local governments or to the private sector are both necessary and minimal. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chairman, I yield 90 seconds to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Messer).

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chairman, in response to my colleague from Maryland, let me say that unfunded mandates take many forms that may not be included when regulatory costs are counted. That is why strong, bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate passed the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act in 1995. Similarly, my amendment ensures that costs passed from Federal agencies to State and local governments and private businesses are properly counted and considered. If mandates under review are economically defensible and represent the best policy option available, then the commission will not recommend they be repealed. The issue of unfunded mandates is frequently overlooked in the debates about reforming our regulatory system and carrying out Federal policies. It is all too easy for Washington bureaucrats to write off concerns expressed by a handful of local governments or of a small subset of private businesses, but 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 and to State and local governments are truly the best means to achieve desired policy ends; so I thank my colleagues for their consideration and ask for their support. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, on November 20, at its annual business meeting, members of the American Anthropological Association voted in favor of a disgraceful resolution to boycott Israeli academic institutions. By definition, a boycott hinders study and research. It is deplorable to see leaders in America's institution of higher education support this stifling of academic discussion. Their actions are contradictory to the fundamental principles of academic freedom and the free exchange of ideas that they claim to promote. While the supporters of this boycott claim to be standing up for the rights of Palestinians, what they are actually doing is presenting a one-sided and inaccurate representation of reality in Israel and ignoring Palestinian violence. The simple truth is that, throughout history, Israel has made numerous concessions in the pursuit of peace while seeking only the right to exist. Anthropology teaches respect for cultural differences, but it is clear that some in academia didn't learn that lesson. Let's hope a majority of the members of the American Anthropological Association take time to understand the implications of this shameful resolution and vote ``no'' when it is put to a vote before the organization's full membership in April.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, November 28, residents in Yadkin County gathered for the annual Small Town Christmas celebration at the East Bend fire station. Although East Bend is a small community, its citizens know how to start the holiday season off right. The firefighters and Ladies Auxiliary group worked hard to get the station ready, and their efforts were appreciated by everyone who attended. The evening began with a devotional and the lighting of the Christmas tree. While the chicken stew and pinto beans that followed were certainly delicious, the focus on faith was the real draw. It is easy to get distracted during the days and weeks leading up to Christmas. So it was uplifting to see the community of East Bend once again take time to reflect on this season of grace and let the Lord's infinite joy fill their hearts. It was a pleasure to be a part of their celebration, and I commend them for it.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, it is always a joy for me to kick off the holiday season in Sparta, North Carolina, at the annual Christmas parade down Main Street. As I visited with folks at this year's parade, I was reminded again how special Alleghany County and its people are. The pride that they take in their community is apparent in everything they do. It is especially evident in the hardworking volunteers who donate so much time because they love their hometown and fellow citizens. A great example of this generosity is seen at Books 'n Friends, a nonprofit used bookstore owned by the friends of the Alleghany County Library. Since 2003, volunteers like Alice Keighton, Joyce Speas, and many others have donated their time at the bookstore, whose profits provide funding for activities and necessities at the library. This support makes quite a difference and helps the library inform and educate the citizens of Alleghany County. My deepest appreciation to all of the friends of the library and all the wonderful volunteers in Alleghany County, who do so much to make it such a special place to live, work, and visit.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the House Republican Conference, I send to the desk a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Alleghany High School volleyball team, which recently won the North Carolina 1A State championship. It is the first NCHSAA State championship in the program's history. Coach Debbie Weaver led the Lady Trojans on their winning campaign. The nine seniors on the team, including MVP Jade Shepherd, have been playing together since fifth grade, and it showed in their performance. They won three out of four games to defeat the defending State champion Princeton Bulldogs. Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to meet these young ladies at the annual Christmas parade in Sparta. It is clear that everyone in Alleghany County is proud of the teamwork, dedication, and perseverance they exhibited on the way to this great achievement. I commend these young athletes and congratulate them on a job well done.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, when a married couple killed 14 people celebrating the holidays in San Bernardino last Thursday, President Obama immediately used this terrible tragedy to renew his call for tougher gun restrictions. Never mind the fact that the shooting took place in California, which has some of the strictest gun laws in the Nation, or that authorities would quickly determine this rampage was an act of terrorism that appears to have been inspired by the Islamic State. This messaging blunder led to last night's televised address from the Oval Office where President Obama sought to reassure the American people that his administration is taking the threat of terrorism seriously. Sadly, the only thing he revealed was he has no comprehensive strategy to confront and defeat ISIS. The President continues to cling to failing policy. This week the House will vote on a bipartisan bill to update our visa waiver program to reduce the risk of an extremist entering the country from abroad. However, only the Commander in Chief can provide the wide- ranging plan that is necessary to eliminate the danger caused by radical Islamist terrorism. We need more from President Obama about what can be done with our military, our intelligence-gathering, and our international partners. We are facing a new era of violence and terrorism where danger exists both abroad and on American soil. We must do all that we can to eliminate the extremist threat. It is easy to see why the American people have no faith in the Federal Government. While the United States remains one step behind our enemy and Americans wonder if our country is safe, the Justice Department is undermining Congress' spending authority by funneling money to President Obama's political allies. The Justice Department prosecutes cases against corporate bad actors, and those companies agree to settlements that often include financial penalties. However, the Department has begun to mandate that at least some of that penalty money be paid in the form of donations to nonprofits that allegedly aid consumers and bolster neighborhoods. The purpose of financial penalties is to punish the bad actors and provide restitution to real victims. However, the list of government- approved nonprofit beneficiaries reads like a who's who of liberal activist groups. An investigation by the House Judiciary and Financial Services Committees revealed that DOJ has used mandatory donations to direct as much as half a billion dollars to these activist groups. These payments also occur entirely outside of the congressional appropriations and oversight process. The Miscellaneous Receipts Act requires money received by the government from any source to be deposited in the Treasury. Directing banks to give money to third parties evades that statute. Thank goodness the House passed an amendment by Chairman Goodlatte in June that blocks funding for negotiating settlements that require a defendant to donate to an organization or an individual not involved in the litigation. This commonsense amendment passed by voice vote and should absolutely be included in the omnibus spending bill we are expected to vote on this week. It is time for Republicans to confront this administration and restore the people's faith in their government.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Dr. Burgess, for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, as a child, my family's home didn't have electricity or running water. My parents, while dedicated and hardworking, were poor, with little formal education. 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 individual Americans. Unfortunately, today's K-12 education system is failing our students. Decades of Washington's counterproductive mandates and the No Child Left Behind law have resulted in stagnant student achievement, disappointing graduation rates, and high school graduates entering college and the workforce without the knowledge and resources they need to succeed. Parents and education leaders have lost much of their decisionmaking authority to Washington bureaucrats, and the Secretary of Education has bullied States into adopting the Obama administration's pet policies. The rule we are debating now would provide for consideration of a conference committee agreement, the Every Student Succeeds Act, reauthorizing and reforming the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that would allow Congress finally to replace the No Child Left Behind. As a grandmother, educator, and former school board member, I know students are best served when teachers, parents, and administrators are the driving force behind improving education. This agreement does just that by reducing the Federal footprint in the Nation's classrooms and restoring control to the people who know their students best. The compromise Every Student Succeeds Act gets Washington out of the business of running schools. It protects State and local autonomy by prohibiting the Secretary of Education from coercing States into adopting Common Core or punishing them for abandoning it. It also would place unprecedented restrictions on the authority of the Secretary of Education, preventing the Secretary from imposing new requirements on States and school districts through executive fiat, as President Obama's Department of Education has done repeatedly over the past 3 years. The proposal eliminates the burdensome one-size-fits-all accountability system that has done more to tie up States and school districts in red tape than to support local efforts to educate children. It also reduces the size of the Federal education bureaucracy by eliminating ineffective and duplicative Federal programs and requiring the Secretary of Education to reduce the Department's workforce accordingly. If Congress were to fail to act, States would be forced to choose between the fundamentally flawed policies of No Child Left Behind, which double down on Federal programs, mandates, and spending, and the Obama administration's controversial temporary conditional waiver scheme, which has imposed the administration's preferred policies and heightened the level of uncertainty shared by States and school districts. America's students deserve better. That is why I am so pleased today's agreement gives States a better chance to succeed by getting Washington out of their way. Our work has been validated by The Wall Street Journal, which stated that the bill would represent the largest evolution of Federal control to the States in a quarter century. It is far better than the status quo that would continue if nothing passes.

Ms. FOXX. By reversing No Child Left Behind, one-size-fits-all micromanagement of classrooms, Congress is giving parents, teachers, and local education leaders the tools they need to repair a broken education system and help all children reach their potential. It is time to get Washington out of the way. I encourage my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying conference committee agreement, the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, last month, we celebrated Veterans Day, a day where we rightly single out the members of our military, past and present, and pay tribute to their service and sacrifice. When you stop to think about it, it is amazing that men and women choose to serve in our Armed Forces, knowing full well that their sacrifice could be tremendous and even require their life. But, still, they volunteer. They do so because America--her ideals, her people, and her way of life--are worth defending. The entire Nation owes our military personnel and veterans a huge debt of gratitude, and ensuring that debt is properly repaid is one of my top priorities in Congress. Mr. Speaker, as I travel North Carolina's Fifth District, I hear a similar refrain. No matter where I go, constituents tell me horror stories of their experiences with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans from my district and across the country are frustrated with the lack of service they are receiving. They are angry because they can't get an appointment or a phone call returned. And they are outraged, as I am, that the Obama administration is doing nothing to solve the multitude of problems that have been revealed. My heart is always touched when veterans and their families describe their efforts to get service through the VA and how the VA wouldn't help them until my office intervened. These stories affect me more than words can say. I am always happy to know that my office has helped, and my staff is encouraged when we get a problem solved. However, these veterans shouldn't have to contact their congressional office to access the benefits they have earned. To say I am fed up with this administration's treatment of veterans is an understatement. How they can turn their backs on the veterans the way they do is unconscionable to me. It is past time to put an end to the agency-wide pattern of mismanagement at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bureaucratic incompetence is abominable, and there needs to be a shakeup at all levels. The agency needs to be led and staffed by people who believe America has a duty and an obligation to help our veterans. Right now, it seems there is no sense of responsibility or concern from the Obama administration with the disgraceful way our veterans are being treated. It is time for President Obama to truly commit to reforming the VA and give America's veterans a meaningful, decisive plan to right the many wrongs. Regardless of the outcome, my office will continue to leave no stone unturned when it comes to serving our veterans.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Samaritan's Purse, an organization headquartered in Boone, North Carolina, that brings spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. This week is the national collection week for the organization's Operation Christmas Child ministry, which puts empty shoe boxes to good use by filling them with gifts for needy children. In order to participate, one needs to start with a shoe box, then decide whether to pack a box for a girl or a boy, and pick the age category: 2 to 4, 5 to 9, or 10 to 14. Finally, one fills the shoe box with gifts, including fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. This year I packed a shoe box for a girl between the ages of 5 and 9. It is a simple concept that brings so much joy to the children who receive these special packages. I urge everyone to consider participating in this worthy program.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, November 13, the world was reminded once again that freedom has its foes when Islamic State militants killed 129 people and injured hundreds more in coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris. As we mourn those whose lives were lost and pray for the people of France as they confront this terrible tragedy, we must let the adversaries of liberty know that champions of freedom will not be stopped. We will not waver, we will not cede strength, and we will stand firm. Today a video released by an Islamic State subgroup appears to show militants praising the Paris attacks and warning that a similar attack could take place in Washington. Congress will continue to explore ways in which we can defeat Islamic State, but it is time for President Obama, who told ABC News on Friday that we ``have contained'' Islamic State, to take seriously this threat to our Nation and all that we stand for.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a privileged concurrent resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Republican Conference, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms FOXX

Ms FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Financial Services may, at any time before 6 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2015, file reports to accompany H.R. 1737, H.R. 3189, and H.R. 2010.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the inaugural observance of National Apprenticeship Week. Across the United States, hundreds of thousands of apprenticeship programs are helping to prepare workers for today's high-skilled, in-demand jobs. For far too long, there has been a discrepancy in what students are learning in the classroom and what employers say they need in the workplace. Apprenticeships are key to narrowing that skills gap because they offer students a low-cost and, in many cases, a no-cost education that arms them with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in today's global economy. Apprentices often earn an average starting salary of $50,000 and go on to make $300,000 more than their nonapprenticeship peers over the course of their career. Employers who invest in these work-based learning programs are attracting and retaining highly qualified employees. They are also seeing results in the form of increased productivity and greater innovation. Apprenticeships can change lives, and I look forward to seeing how these valuable programs continue to strengthen America's workforce.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, ensuring Americans are capable of filling the skills gap and finding quality jobs through stakeholder-led and accountable workforce development programs has been one of my highest priorities in Washington. That is why I was so proud last Congress to see legislation I sponsored, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or WIOA, enacted into law. WIOA was the first major workforce development legislation to be enacted in more than 15 years and included many vital provisions to modernize, streamline, and localize our workforce development system. The highway bill that passed the House earlier today included a frontline workforce development program intended to address human resources needs in public transportation that was not subject to the reforms contained within WIOA. In order to ensure that program is assessed consistently with other Federal workforce development programs and targeted to areas that have identified needs in public transportation as part of their broader workforce development programs, I introduced a bipartisan amendment to the highway bill with my colleague from Washington (Ms. DelBene) that applied WIOA's performance measures and coordination reforms to the program. All of our Federal workforce development programs should be assessed in a consistent manner and be considered as part of an overall package tailored to State and local needs that provide stakeholders on the ground greater input and control. That is why I am also pleased the House adopted our bipartisan amendment as part of the broader transportation package and strengthened the frontline workforce development program in order to better serve the workers who learn skills through the program and those policymakers who evaluate the programs to improve its future outcomes. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today we mourn the loss of Howard Coble, a dedicated public servant and a champion for his constituents in North Carolina's Sixth District for 30 years. He never backed down from a challenge to do what was right for North Carolina and always pushed Washington to work better for those he represented. Howard was the essence of what it means to be a Southern gentleman, someone who simply exuded kindness, charm, and compassion. He was a man of integrity and principle, a Representative who stood for what is right and who fought on behalf of what makes America great. He will be missed, but his legacy of service and devotion to North Carolina will continue to be the standard that current and future leaders follow. Howard, we miss you.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 600, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.'' Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. Denham

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, next week this Nation will celebrate Veterans Day, where we rightly pay tribute to the members of our military, past and present, and honor them with the respect and gratitude they deserve. Liberty is bought and paid for by the incomprehensible generosity of these patriots. We also honor the commitment and sacrifices of our military families by celebrating Military Family Month in November. Through deployments, separations, and moves across the country and overseas, these families inspire us as they endure the extended absence of their loved ones with grace, strength, and devotion. America is the land of the free because we are the home of the brave. I thank our veterans for seeing the value of freedom and rising to America's defense with unfailing strength. I thank our military families for standing with our servicemembers, supporting that great bravery, and sharing in the sacrifice.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate scientists Paul Modrich of Duke University and Aziz Sancar of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on winning the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. They share this prestigious award with Swedish scientist Tomas Lindahl for their work in understanding how cells repair damaged DNA. Dr. Modrich is the James B. Duke Professor of Biochemistry at Duke's medical school and a member of the Duke Cancer Institute. He is also an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Modrich's research has demonstrated how the cell corrects errors that occur when DNA is replicated during cell division. Dr. Sancar is the Sarah Graham Kenan Professor of Biochemistry at UNC's medical School. Only the second Turk to win a Nobel Prize, he is the cofounder of the Aziz and Gwen Sancar Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes Turkish culture and supports Turkish students in the United States. Dr. Sancar has mapped the mechanism that cells use to repair UV damage to DNA. Congratulations to Dr. Modrich and Dr. Sancar on their extraordinary achievements. We are fortunate they call North Carolina home.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Georgia for yielding. In the spirit of bipartisanship, let me associate myself with the opening remarks and kind words of Mr. Polis about the Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if adopted, the proposed fiduciary rule would reduce access to reasonably priced investment options for lower and middle class families and small-business owners across the country. It will also increase costs for Americans trying their best to save for retirement. Our country faces difficult retirement challenges, and the last thing the Federal Government should do is create new barriers blocking the retirement security the American people deserve. The fact is we have seen this scheme before. This proposal contains many of the same flaws as the administration's failed 2010 proposal, which was ultimately withdrawn because of harsh bipartisan opposition. The Department of Labor's rushed and uncoordinated process has again resulted in an unworkable proposal, and I urge the administration to use the same logic that it did the first time and withdraw its damaged proposal.