Virginia Foxx

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, each year since 1960, the third week in October has been proclaimed National Forest Products Week. It is a week in which we celebrate all of the ways that paper and wood products enhance our daily lives. This industry is particularly important to the economic success of North Carolina, where nearly 60 percent of the total land area is forest and more than 18 million acres are dedicated to growing timber. With nearly 250 manufacturing facilities, the State's forest products industry employs more than 40,000 men and women at a payroll of approximately $2 billion per year. The value of the products produced in and shipped from North Carolina is more than $10 billion. America's forests keep our air and water clean while providing renewable energy, wildlife habitat, and recreation. They are also an economic generator, especially in the Nation's rural communities, delivering the paper and manufactured products we rely on every day. We are grateful for this industry in North Carolina.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 480 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 480 provides for consideration of H.R. 10, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act, and H.R. 692, the Default Prevention Act. These bills are important steps forward on two issues of great importance to Americans: education and fiscal issues. H.R. 10, 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. Two amendments to the bill have been made in order for consideration, one by a Republican and another by a Democrat. 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. The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 692, the Default Prevention Act. As my colleagues are all aware, the Treasury Department has asserted that its ability to use extraordinary measures to avoid reaching the statutory debt limit will be exhausted in coming days, possibly by November 3. The legislation before us is a vital step to take default off the table, should extraordinary measures be exhausted, providing certainty to financial markets and hardworking Americans that we will pay our debts and meet our obligations. The Default Prevention Act would authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to issue debt obligations necessary to continue making principal and interest payments on our debt, and would also ensure continued access to the funds in the Social Security trust fund necessary to pay Social Security benefits in full. Mr. Speaker, it is simply common sense that we permanently close out the possibility of default and give seniors and other Social Security beneficiaries confidence that they will continue to receive the funds they rely on. We can protect the full faith and credit of the United States and ensure that our credit ratings and economy are not impacted by policy battles here in Congress over future spending policies. Mr. Speaker, I commend this rule and both of the underlying bills to my colleagues for their support. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Stewart).

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, it is a big surprise to see a member of the minority opposing the provision of additional education funding to low- income students. My colleague earlier mentioned that some members of the D.C. Council oppose H.R. 10. I would like to bring it to the attention of the House that D.C. Councilwoman Anita Bonds has asked that her name be removed from that letter, saying: ``I am hopeful that many more of our neediest families have the opportunity to take advantage of the program.'' She knows that students in public, charter, and private schools all benefit equally from this legislation, and I welcome her support. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock).

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Meadows).

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop).

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen).

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. These are crucial bills. They make significant progress on two important issues: addressing our fiscal crisis in a responsible manner and the education of our next generation. We cannot squander the incredible wealth this country has built over decades of hard work by the American people. The full faith and credit of the United States is not ours here, as Members of Congress. It is theirs, the American people. We are the reserve currency because individuals across the world look to us for prudent fiscal choices and rock-steady resolve in our principles and integrity. There are few debates more contentious in this body than those over spending levels or the leverage points that our system provides to exert control over those levels. The Default Prevention Act would enable us to continue to fight tooth and nail over the right direction for our country's finances while giving Americans and financial markets certainty that they can remain confident in the Federal Government meeting its obligations. We can and should stay up late at night and have passionate debates in this Chamber over how to address mandatory spending, but we shouldn't allow retired and disabled Americans to stay up late at night because they fear their Social Security checks won't arrive. The Default Prevention Act is commonsense legislation to remove catastrophe as a possibility by enabling the Secretary of the Treasury to issue debt necessary to make principal and interest payments on the national debt and pay Social Security benefits in full. It is the right first step in beginning a conversation about how to constructively address our immense fiscal challenges. If we don't address those challenges, we will be unable to provide for other important programs, such as the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act, or SOAR Reauthorization Act, which this resolution provides for consideration of as well. 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, but have suffered from unacceptable achievement levels in graduation rates. The SOAR Reauthorization Act 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. public schools, charter schools, and scholarships for students to attend private schools that would otherwise be out of reach. Students receiving private school education have demonstrated higher test scores and significantly higher graduation rates, showcasing the importance of continuing students access to these institutions. These programs are an important example of the need for innovation and experimentation in how to best reform our educational system to benefit students, not entrenched interests. It has been an honor for me to personally witness some of the students who have benefited from the programs included in the SOAR Reauthorization Act. After seeing the hope for the future these students have in their eyes, I cannot fathom preventing other students from receiving their own second chances. Mr. Speaker, I believe both of these underlying bills are positive steps forward 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, today, I rise to recognize the students and faculty at Marvin Ward Elementary School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. With news of the destructive flooding in South Carolina on their minds, this title I school conducted an informal collection of supplies for those impacted by the devastation. In just 24 hours, the school community had come together for the people of South Carolina and collected clothing, blankets, towels, pillows, baby supplies, toiletries, pet food, and over 60 cases of water. In addition to reading, writing, and arithmetic, it is clear that the administration and faculty have also been teaching important lessons in compassion and generosity, which I am sure went along very well with the lessons being learned by these students from their families. Ward Elementary met the call for assistance with extraordinary result. Its students should be commended for their giving spirit and commitment to helping others.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Mimi Walters).

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, H. Res. 461 provides for the creation of a select investigative panel of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The resolution ensures the House exercises one of its most fundamental constitutional responsibilities: oversight of the use of Federal funds and compliance with Federal law. Undercover investigations have revealed that an organization that receives hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars annually, Planned Parenthood, has also been taking the remains of unborn children and selling them to tissue collection firms. Its staff has reportedly even altered their medical procedures to more effectively dismember unborn children, with one abortionist saying: ``We have been very good at getting heart, lung, liver...because we know that, so I'm not gonna crush that part, I'm gonna basically crush below, I'm gonna crush above, and I'm gonna see if I can get it all intact.'' There are also allegations that children may have been born alive and left to die in order to harvest their tissue. How can we in Congress ignore these charges? It is clear that a full investigation is not only warranted, but imperative, into these issues. Even if these abortion providers somehow managed to comply with all Federal laws while dismembering children, it is clear we need to learn more about their barbaric tactics so we can amend those laws and ensure practices like these never happen again, particularly by organizations receiving millions from U.S. taxpayers. Madam Speaker, in order to effectively continue the oversight that the House has begun into these issues, H. Res. 461 would establish a select investigative panel at the Committee on Energy and Commerce to provide a full investigation and study into these allegations. This panel would be made up of 13 members appointed by the Speaker, 5 of which will be by the recommendation of the minority leader and chaired by a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Its operations will not require any additional appropriations of funds. The investigation will be focused on medical procedures and business practices of entities involved in fetal tissue procurement; Federal funding and support for abortion providers; practices of providers of second- and third-trimester abortions, including partial birth abortions; medical care provided to children born alive as a result of an attempted abortion; and necessary changes in law or regulation identified by this investigation. This type of investigation or special panel is far from unprecedented. When in the majority, my colleagues across the aisle formed the Select Intelligence Oversight Panel under the Appropriations Committee as well as a Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. The creation of a select investigative panel on the issues surrounding the sale of unborn children's tissue is clearly within precedent, and I hope Members on both sides of the aisle will agree that we must get to the bottom of this. We have seen video evidence of children being dismembered to facilitate the sale of their hearts and other organs. Few issues can make us come together like our children. It is my hope that our partisan battles will cease for a brief moment to enable us to have a full investigation into the fate of children at the most vulnerable time of their lives. Even for those who support abortion on demand, it should be simple to unite behind the principle that organizations receiving hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds are subject to congressional oversight, particularly when their divisive practices may violate Federal law and are, frankly, barbaric. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and the resulting investigation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 461 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. FOXX. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 15 seconds.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is those Members across the aisle who raise the issue of Benghazi that are playing politics by trying to distract Americans from the actual issue we are debating today. The purpose of this resolution is to establish a select panel consistent with past precedent under Democrat majorities to ensure that this House conducts a thorough investigation into the practices surrounding fetal tissue procurement and federally funded organizations that participate in these practices. Taxpayers deserve to know what their hard-earned dollars fund. It is incumbent upon us, as Representatives, to ensure that Federal funds are directed only to organizations that operate fully within the law. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Ellmers).

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the House committees who have investigated this issue thus far have done good work, but it is clear that much remains to be done. At Energy and Commerce in particular, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations has the task of conducting meaningful and necessary oversight of several other matters within the jurisdiction of the committee. Given the large number of expected documents to be reviewed and interviews to be conducted, the select investigative panel will permit this necessary investigation to continue without impairing the other important work of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee at the Energy and Commerce Committee. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts).

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

Ms. FOXX. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, what is unconscionable is the callous disregard for unborn babies that has been exhibited for far too long in our culture and which has been brought home to us full force by these videos that we have seen. Mr. Speaker, the organizations and providers to be investigated by this select panel maintain a culture with a callous disregard for life. Recently, a series of undercover videos have exposed in horrifying detail what Planned Parenthood values. They show the organization's leaders admitting to haggling over the prices for the limbs and organs of aborted children; callously recounting the harvesting of a brain from a fully intact, aborted child; admitting that clinics collect ``specimens'' without informed consent and that abortionists will alter the procedure to keep intact in-demand organs. These videos make clear that neither women's health nor the well- being of their tiny victims will stand between Planned Parenthood and profit. Since the release of these videos, the big money behind the pro- abortion political machine has kicked into high gear to obfuscate what services organizations like Planned Parenthood truly provide. We hear about breast cancer screenings, but not a single Planned Parenthood clinic has a mammogram machine. We have heard repeatedly that abortions account for only 3 percent of Planned Parenthood services. The Washington Post Fact Checker assigned this data point, along with others pushed by Planned Parenthood, three Pinocchios. It is also clear from Planned Parenthood's own annual reports and testimony to Congress that a significant portion of its annual nongovernmental revenue comes from abortion. The undercover videos alone would merit full investigation and review, but the problems at Planned Parenthood are not limited to those discussed in the series by the Center for Medical Progress. We know that Planned Parenthood clinics in several States have failed to report sexual abuse of young girls, enabling and empowering those who would exploit them: Just this year, the Alabama Department of Public Health found that a clinic in Mobile performed two abortions on a 14-year-old girl in a single 4-month period without reporting suspected sexual abuse. Just last year, an Arizona Planned Parenthood counselor intentionally miscoded the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl by a serial predator as a consensual encounter. Also last year, a Denver clinic failed to report the rape of a 13- year-old girl by her stepfather, who brought her to the clinic for an abortion. Mr. Speaker, the list of outrageous acts by these abortion providers goes on and on. It is past time that we investigate and understand just what type of organizations our tax dollars are subsidizing. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, on October 3, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau implemented a new rule to streamline disclosure requirements during the home buying process. Helping consumers better understand their mortgage terms is a worthy goal. No one is arguing that. However, this rule makes considerable changes to the forms used by consumers when applying for a loan, and anyone with sense can see that will lead to unforeseen issues. That means American home buyers will have less flexibility to buy and close on a home on their terms in the coming months. Fortunately, this week the House will consider the Homebuyers Assistance Act, which creates a temporary safe harbor from enforcement of this new rule as long as a good faith effort was made to comply. The legislation will give the CFPB the necessary time to address implementation hurdles with stakeholders. It is the right move for America's housing recovery.