Virginia Foxx

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, numbers don't lie, but viewed in isolation, they can obscure the truth. Last week offered some encouraging news: 288,000 new jobs and an unemployment rate, by one measure, of 6.1 percent, which is the lowest rate achieved during Mr. Obama's administration. There is tremendous human cost associated with half a decade of unemployment above--often, well above--6 percent, but this is an improvement. Our celebration, though, should be tempered by the truths obscured by this statistic. The truth is: more than 92 million adults above age 16 are not in the labor force. The truth is: if the labor force were at pre-recession levels, the unemployment rate would be 11.1 percent. The truth is: the labor force participation rate has not been this low since 1978. Mr. Speaker, some predicted President Obama would be the second coming of Jimmy Carter. Nearly 6 years in, that is looking like a best- case scenario.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today the first quarter GDP numbers were revised downward, again, and now show the economy contracted by 2.9 percent in the opening months of 2014. The administration's spin machine cited cold weather as the root cause of this, but as critics noted, Canada's GDP grew by 1.8 percent in the first quarter. Was it warmer in Canada? It is clear that this President is out of ideas about how to get our economy back on track. It now seems we have exhausted even his supply of excuses as well. Being out of excuses is a positive development. Since this administration seems prone to believing their own spin, perhaps they will now, at long last, work with House Republicans on legislation that will put Americans back to work. There are 40 House-passed bills awaiting action in the Senate. These bills will help. Will the President and his party act on them?

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, I had the opportunity to speak at Cornerstone Church in Salisbury, North Carolina. The service was a tribute to America, our military, and our veterans, and it was an uplifting experience. Cornerstone was founded over 20 years ago. The first service had 12 attendees, five of whom were related to the founding pastor, Bill Godair. Pastor Godair continues as lead pastor and seeks to use the ministry to attack racism and poverty. The church is growing and serves the people of Salisbury without regard to age, race, or political affiliation. Mr. Speaker, it was refreshing to join the congregation at Cornerstone and pay tribute to our men and women who serve or have served in our Armed Forces. As the scriptures tell us in John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, as the President looks for a new VA Secretary, it is imperative that we not let the veterans health care scandal distract from the ongoing efforts to resolve the VA benefits claims backlog. The VA has undertaken important reforms to streamline the process, such as electronic records and working to ensure that initial claims include all necessary information. These steps are helping to address the backlog; but as the scandal in the health care side of the VA continues to unfold and demand the attention of policymakers, we must remain focused on effective implementation of these and other benefits determination process reforms. Mr. Speaker, we are dutybound to do everything we can to ensure our veterans have timely access to the benefits they have earned. I am committed to ensuring timely access to these benefits, and we must ensure the incoming VA Secretary is committed as well.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize The Taiwan Fellowship, a highly prestigious scholarship which allows American experts and scholars to conduct advanced research at universities or academic institutions in Taiwan. Established and funded by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the fellowships provide for tuition, financial assistance and a monthly stipend. In the past 4 years, 346 scholars from 57 countries around the world have been awarded Fellowships. Recipients include professors, doctoral candidates, and post-doctoral researchers interested in Taiwan, cross- strait relations, mainland China, the Asia-Pacific region and Chinese studies. The fellowship terms are as short as three months and can be as long as a year. In terms of resources devoted to awardees, the Fellowship is on par with the Fulbright Program and the Rhodes scholarship. Mr. Speaker, this scholarship serves as an important conduit for educational and cultural exchange between the United States and Taiwan. This is the 35th Anniversary of enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, the measure that crafted the modern, successful and beneficial US-Taiwan partnership. It's important that we continue to build our alliance on a mutual commitment to the rule of law, free and fair elections, and free enterprise. It is in that spirit that the Taiwan government offers the Taiwan Fellowship to students: so that our friendship and mutual understanding will continue into future generations.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the West Forsyth baseball team, which recently won the North Carolina state 4A baseball championship. West Forsyth defeated Richmond in a best of three series. This was the Titan's first baseball state championship, and the school's first championship in any boys' sport. West Forsyth's victory was under the leadership of first year head coach Brad Bullard, a West Forsyth graduate and member of the Titan's 2001 second place team, which was the last team to reach the state championship. This year, the Titans amassed a 29 and 6 record and won the West Regional Championship to earn their place in the final series. Mr. Speaker, I commend these young athletes and the coaches who led them on their winning campaign and wish the team continuing success in future seasons.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago today, this House passed H.R. 1797, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, with bipartisan support. To this date, the Senate has not considered this measure to protect the lives of innocent children in the womb from the cruel, excruciating pain of an abortion procedure. This is unconscionable. I fear for the conscience of our Nation because the termination of unborn children for any reason is tolerated in some parts of our country throughout pregnancy, even though scientific conclusions show infants feel pain by at least 20 weeks' gestation. Mr. Speaker, it is important that the American people understand exactly what happens when they hear the word ``abortion.'' It is a heart-wrenching, painful procedure that tears a baby limb from limb before crushing his or her head or is a poisonous chemical injection. As a country, we should leave this practice behind. That is why I cosponsored and voted for H.R. 1797, which would prohibit elective abortions in the United States past 20 weeks. Life is the most fundamental of all rights. It is sacred and God- given, but millions of babies have been robbed of that right in this, the freest country in the world. That is a tragedy beyond words and a betrayal of what we as a nation stand for. Before liberty, equality, free speech, freedom of conscience, the pursuit of happiness, and justice for all, there has to be life. And yet, for millions of aborted infants, many pain-capable and many discriminated against because of gender or disability, life is exactly what they have been denied. An affront to life to some is an affront to life for every one of us. One day we hope it will be different. We hope life will cease to be valued on a sliding scale. We hope the era of elective abortions, ushered in by an unelected Court, will be closed and collectively deemed one of the darkest chapters in American history. But until that day, it remains a solemn duty to stand up for life. Regardless of the length of this journey, we will continue to speak for those who cannot. We will continue to pray to the One who can change the hearts of those in desperation and those in power, who equally hold the lives of the innocent in their hands. May we, in love, defend the unborn. May we, in humility, confront this national sin. May we mourn what abortion reveals about the conscience of our Nation. H.R. 1797 provides commonsense protections for unborn children who feel pain just as you and I do. It is time the Senate considers this measure and protects the vulnerable among us.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, President Obama recently announced some changes to student loan repayment programs. Keeping with the pattern of his administration, he has chosen to impose those changes via the regulatory process. For a while now, President Obama has been fond of saying he has a ``pen and a phone'' that he will use to codify his version of hope and change. Perhaps the pen is sufficient, but the regulatory process will take 18 months. The House is reauthorizing the Higher Education Act. Working together, student loan reforms could be considered passed and implemented much sooner if only President Obama would pick up the phone, talk with Members of Congress, and find common ground; but that takes effort, and the President does not seem inclined to call. Mr. Speaker, it seems this President has become so addicted to the pen that he no longer knows how to pick up the telephone.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, last week, I was energized and inspired by the opportunity to tour the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company in West Jefferson, North Carolina. This plant has been recognized for the high quality of its products and was a recipient of the 2013 Caleb Bradham President's Award. This award is named after North Carolina native and Pepsi founder, Caleb Bradham. This year, only 19 plants across the country received the award out of hundreds of bottlers across this country. According to The Jefferson Post: The company received the award for the production of its 12-ounce glass bottle sodas, which are bottled in downtown West Jefferson. West Jefferson Dr. Pepper glass bottle products are wildly popular among soda enthusiasts. The Dr. Pepper Bottling Company has been making drinks in West Jefferson since 1940, when it was founded by H.R. Vannoy. Among the employees are three generations of the Vannoy family, whose patriarch began the company. I wish the company and all of its employees many more years of success.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, last week, it was my great pleasure to participate in a groundbreaking at a plant expansion at the GE manufacturing facility in West Jefferson, North Carolina. The expansion will allow GE to produce more of the company's incredibly popular LEAP engine, which will power next-generation aircraft from around the globe. The 80,000-square-foot factory expansion will provide for additional machining capacity and represents a $65 million investment by GE in West Jefferson. The LEAP jet engine has proven to be incredibly popular, with commitments or orders for more than 6,000 LEAP engines to date. This is especially remarkable because the LEAP does not enter service until 2016. Once it does enter service, it will power planes such as the Boeing 737 MAX and the Airbus A320neo. GE is familiar with the fact that high quality workers can be found in North Carolina, since the company already has more than 1,300 employees at locations in West Jefferson, Durham, Wilmington, and Asheville. The current expansion is expected to add 105 new jobs over the next 2\1/2\ years. I am exceptionally pleased that GE is partnering with Wilkes Community College to give local workers the skills needed to compete for the new jobs this expansion will bring to West Jefferson. This innovative worker education program will allow current and prospective employees to learn in a hands-on environment with state-of-the-art machinery. Mr. Speaker, this is just the type of program that we need to close the skills gap and give hardworking Americans the opportunity to compete for the 4 million jobs that are available now. This expansion will demonstrate, yet again, that American manufacturing and American workers can compete in the global economy. There is no more fulfilling aspect of our jobs here than to be invited to be present for the announcement of more jobs in our districts. Everyone in the area is excited for the community of West Jefferson, and I look forward to a very successful future for the innovative education partnership between GE and Wilkes Community College. Thanks to GE for making this investment, and thanks to the employees at GE West Jefferson for your great effort and commitment to excellence. Dr. Pepper Bottling Company

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, over $1 billion in Federal grants have been wasted on poorly functioning State ObamaCare exchanges, including a reported $655 million for three exchanges that have been completely shut down. These failed Web sites fit into a long line of government information technology projects that are over budget and underperforming. Repeated attempts to build an electronic system that would allow the Defense Department and the VA to share medical records have failed, despite billions spent. This is a significant contributing factor to many of the VA's problems. Mr. Speaker, it is increasingly clear that the government is simply unable to procure IT products at a reasonable cost. With the Internet's growing role in nearly all commerce and communication, this is yet another reason to stop expanding the reach of the bureaucracy and return our government to its constitutionally defined limits.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. William H. ``Doc'' Long of Oak Ridge, North Carolina. Doc Long, a veteran who served under the command of General Patton in World War II, has for the last three years been a tireless promoter of the Carolina Field of Honor Memorial in Triad Park in Kernersville, North Carolina, Ground was broken for this memorial in November of last year, and the project is now complete. I will have the privilege of attending the unveiling of this important monument on Saturday. Mr. Speaker, it's our responsibility to ensure that our military remains strong and our veterans receive the care and benefits they have earned, but we should always take time to recognize those individuals in our communities who tirelessly work to ensure the sacrifices made on behalf of our nation are not forgotten. Doc Long is one such individual, I look forward to seeing him in Kernersville Saturday, and it's a privilege to recognize him in this House today.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, as the unfolding scandal at the VA demonstrates, the administration has a standard playbook for dealing with an unfolding PR disaster: The first step is to say the President learned about the situation on the news and is madder than anyone else about it; Step two is to declare an investigation underway; Step three is to implore us all to wait patiently for the always slow investigation to be completed; Step four is to declare the scandal old news. The underlying theme is that we must allow the bureaucratic machinery to sort out the problems, and we must not interfere with the process. Mr. Speaker, Samuel Johnson once said that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel, but in our political culture today, process is the last refuge of those who seek to avoid true accountability.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the 96th Azerbaijan Republic Day. Republic Day celebrates Azerbaijan's declaration of independence from the Russian Empire in 1918. That hard-won independence, however, was short-lived as the new Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was soon occupied by the Soviet Union. After the Soviet collapse in 1990, Azerbaijan regained its independence. A valuable international ally, Azerbaijan was among the first nations offering unconditional support to the United States in the war against al Qaeda, providing a safe transit route to resupply our troops in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan leads the Central Asian area in regional economic cooperation and is a key player in European energy security matters. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in thanking the people of Azerbaijan for their friendship and in congratulating Azerbaijanis around the world on the anniversary of Republic Day.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, Pastor Charlie Martin has preached the Gospel for 45 years. Charlie Martin attended Trinity College of Florida and continues to serve as vice president of that institution. After college, he began working with youth at his home church in Arkansas. In 1971, he was called to pastor First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks in Largo, Florida. The Lord blessed the 37 years he spent there, with the church growing from fewer than 100 to over 6,000 members under his care. Largo is also where Pastor Martin met Stephanie, his wife of 38 years. Together, they have raised five children--Shannon, Christian, Somer, Samara, and Colt. All five children are grown and happily married, and the Martins delight in their 16 grandchildren. For the past 7 years, Pastor Martin has led the good people of Bethel Baptist Church in Vilas, North Carolina. We are blessed to have this man of God living and working in our community in the mountains of North Carolina, and I want to thank him for opening the House with a prayer today.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. (During the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be considered as read.

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, Memorial Day is the day we set apart to honor those who have given the ``last full measure of devotion'' in service to our Nation. It is fitting that we quote Lincoln's Gettysburg Address to mark this day, because though Memorial Day was not federally recognized until 1967, its origins trace back to the Civil War, when observances of what was then called Decoration Day sprang up throughout the country. This Nation has been blessed by periods when war is not a recent memory; and in those times, the significance of Memorial Day can get lost in the pleasures of early summer, travel, and family barbecues. But we should always set aside time to remember the sacrifices made to safeguard our Nation. We are now well into our second decade of having troops continually in active theaters of combat, and many have experienced the loss of a loved one. Remember them in your thoughts and prayers, especially on Memorial Day.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, the phrase ``War on Women'' is often used to score political points in this town, but human trafficking represents a tragically literal war on women and girls. Human traffickers prey on poor, often desperate women. The stories are sadly too familiar. A young woman is enticed with promises of a legitimate job and a better life. Then once she is taken to a new location, she is held captive and forced into prostitution. This plague is not isolated to far-off places the other side of the globe. In fact, women and girls are daily being trafficked and used for sexual slavery right here in the United States. In Winston-Salem, in my district, a prostitution ring that preyed on young immigrant women was broken up last year. This week, the House will be considering five pieces of legislation that address this issue. We can and must take action to prevent more people from being victimized.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Unfortunately, over the last 4 decades, the Federal Government's role in elementary and secondary education has increased dramatically. The Department of Education currently runs more than 80 K-12 education programs, many of which overlap. As a school board member, I saw how the vast reporting requirements for these Federal programs tie the hands of State and local school leaders and prevent them from making the best education available to their students. Since 1965, Federal education funding has tripled, yet student achievement remains flat. More money is clearly not going to solve the challenges we face in education. Unfortunately, the Obama administration has refused to work with Congress to address these challenges and has, instead, taken unprecedented action to further expand its authority over America's schools. Through the President's waiver scheme and pet programs such as Race to the Top, the Secretary of Education has granted himself complete discretion to use taxpayer dollars to coerce States into enacting the President's preferred education reforms. Adding insult to injury, President Obama continues to push for more Federal education spending, requesting a staggering $82.3 billion in mandatory and discretionary funds for the Department of Education in his fiscal year 2015 budget. Our children deserve better, Mr. Speaker. It is past time to acknowledge more taxpayer dollars and more Federal intrusion cannot address the challenges facing schools. H.R. 10 recognizes that local communities know their needs better than any bureaucrat in Washington and supports the sharing of best practices among charter schools and traditional public schools. Our students do better when educators work together to put in place the best strategies to help students learn. Additionally, H.R. 10 specifically encourages charter schools to reach out to at-risk students in their communities, as well as those who have disabilities or are English learners. Again, the local officials know best how to serve their communities, and the Federal Government should not tie their hands as they work to make the best decisions for their students. I urge my colleagues, therefore, Mr. Speaker, to support this rule and the underlying bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. We do not have further speakers, Mr. Speaker, but I do intend to share some additional information on this bill and the rule.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I want to truly thank my colleague from Colorado for his eloquent words of support for charter schools and for his past efforts in this area. I particularly want to thank him for urging the Senate to take up this legislation. As he well knows, we have a lot of good legislation over in the Senate that has not been acted upon, and I hope this bill will have a better fate in the Senate than other bills have had. Mr. Speaker, it would be imprudent to have a conversation about education and the use of taxpayer money without discussing the need for accountability. Hardworking taxpayers want to see their tax dollars being used in the best way possible and expect the Federal Government to be a wise steward of their dollars. H.R. 10 builds on the principle of local accountability by modernizing the Charter Schools Program to authorize States to use the funding to replicate and expand high-quality charter schools. The schools with proven student success will have the opportunity to offer those advantages to more students. States and local educators know their students best, and I urge my colleagues to modernize Federal school programs and respond to these needs by supporting both this rule and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, many of my Republican colleagues and I would prefer we abide by the Constitution and take the Federal Government out of education altogether, but that is not what we are recommending here today because we know we can't achieve that goal. My assumption, though, is that all Members of Congress--all Members of Congress--agree that as long as taxpayer money is being used by the Federal Government to fund education, that Congress has a responsibility to make a strong effort to ensure that those who receive hardworking taxpayer money are being held accountable for how they use it. Washington should live within its means, just as families all across this country do, and limited resources require wise stewardship. This bill consolidates multiple funding streams and grant programs that support charter schools into the existing State grant program, eliminating a separate authorization for charter school facilities funding. It reduces the overall authorization for charter school programs from $450 million to $300 million. By consolidating the funding streams into the existing State charter school program, the bill removes authority from the Secretary of Education to pick winners and losers and control the growth of the charter school sector. This authority is placed largely in the hands of States, where it belongs. H.R. 10 promotes high-quality charter schools by updating the Charter Schools Program to reflect the success and growth of the charter school movement. States are authorized to use funds under the program to support the replication and expansion of high-quality charter schools in addition to supporting new innovative charter school models. Mr. Speaker, my background as an educator, school board member, mother, and grandmother reinforces my belief that students are best served when people at the local level are in control of education decisions. I also believe that education is the most important tool that Americans at any age can have. I was the first person in my family to graduate from high school and went to college, where I worked full-time and attended school part- time. It took me 7 years to earn my bachelor's degree, and I continued to work my way through my master's and doctoral degrees. From my own experience, I am convinced this is the greatest country in the world for many reasons, not the least of which is that a person like me, who grew up extremely poor in a house with no electricity and no running water, with parents with very little formal education and no prestige at all, could work hard and be elected to the United States House of Representatives. No legislation is perfect, and that is why I look forward to working with my colleagues to address their concerns and improve this legislation through the amendment process. However, I have never been one to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. And while H.R. 10 isn't perfect, it is a step in the right direction of empowering parents, teachers, and local school districts, and increasing school choice and giving other young people the same opportunities that I and others have had to improve our lot in life. That is why I am a supporter of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this rule and the underlying bill.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, with that, I offer an amendment to the resolution.

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