Robert Hurt

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. HURT. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment to H.R. 1062, the SEC Regulatory Accountability Act, introduced by my friend, Chairman Scott Garrett. His bill is an important step forward to ensure the SEC abides by the President's executive order and also enhances the SEC's existing cost-benefit analysis requirements. My amendment ensures that rules adopted by the PCAOB, the MSRB, and other national securities associations under the purview of the SEC have the same requirements as the SEC itself and requires the SEC to attest that these associations are in compliance with its own economic assessment standards. These subordinate organizations can develop standards and rules that have the same effect as Federal regulations. As rules put forth by these organizations generally go through a final SEC rulemaking process, they should be subject also to that same cost-benefit analysis. As we saw with the SEC's proxy access rule that was thrown out by the D.C. Federal court for lack of a proper assessment of the rule's economic costs, not only is this practice good governance, but it's common sense. In light of reports that the SEC is considering discretionary rulemakings that would impose additional unnecessary costs resulting in little or no benefit and being of questionable constitutionality, we must ensure that the SEC and the associations under its purview abide by sound economic analyses. With our economy still struggling and many areas of Virginia's Fifth District nearing double-digit unemployment, we must ensure that our regulations are making it easier for our businesses to access the capital they need to create the jobs in our communities. I thank Chairman Garrett for his work on this important issue, and I urge support for my amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HURT. Mr. Chairman, I'm prepared to close and would like to insist on my right to do so. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HURT. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. HURT. I would just say a couple of things in closing. First, what this bill is not is a bill that does anything to amend or change the mandates of the SEC. We know what those mandates are. They are to ensure fair markets, efficient markets. They are to facilitate capital formation and, finally, investor protection. They are all designed to work together. This bill does nothing to change that mandate. In fact, the bill, if you look at it, talks about cost-benefit analysis repeatedly throughout the entire bill. I would suggest to you that investor protection includes liquid markets, formation of capital. If we want to protect investors, obviously we need to have healthy markets. That's what this bill ensures by requiring the SEC conduct the most simple, routine cost- benefit analysis, something that the President, by the way, has offered up and required of most Federal agencies that are affected by his executive order. This simply makes them a part of that. In addition, the SEC chairman stated earlier that that was what her belief should be for the SEC in conducting the cost-benefit analysis. So this simply codifies, as is our responsibility as Members of Congress, to do just that. With that in mind, I would ask that this body adopt our amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the full repeal of the President's health care law. I believe we must repeal this law and replace it with patient-centered, market-oriented reforms that will improve patient care, broaden patient access, and reduce patient costs. From the beginning, the President promised that his health care law would improve the quality of health care for all Americans. He said if you wanted to keep your doctor, his plan was for you. If you wanted to keep your health care plan, his law was for you. He said that if you wanted lower insurance premiums, his law was for you. Well, the bill passed, and the people of Virginia's Fifth District are getting a full dose of it, and they don't like what they see. As I've traveled across Virginia's Fifth District, I've heard from our constituents, our Main Street businesses, our local governments, and our health care providers that this law is not living up to the President's promises. In fact, people are not able to keep the health care plans that they've always counted on. People are being hit with spikes in insurance premiums, and people are having to take second jobs because they can't afford to live on a 29-hour workweek. This repeal bill is important because it is an expression of the sentiment of the people I represent. They want real health care reform, not government mandates. I encourage my colleagues to support the rule and support this bill.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding. I appreciate the committee's leadership on this important measure. I rise today in support of the Working Families Flexibility Act, a House of Representatives initiative that will give families and individuals across the Fifth District the freedom of workplace choice and limit the Federal overreach in our daily lives. At a time when our economy is struggling, we must look for ways to help our hardworking families and individuals. Under current law, public employees can choose between using overtime hours for pay or for paid time off. Unfortunately, this same option is not afforded to those who work for private companies. With small businesses and family farms being the engine of our rural economy, this option is therefore not available to many of my constituents. This bill before us today changes all of that. By ensuring private workers can accrue paid time off instead of overtime compensation, we will provide Fifth District Virginians greater flexibility in balancing their work schedules with the demands of family life. And we will take these important decisions out of the hands of Federal bureaucrats and place them into the hands of hardworking Americans. It is high time that this outdated regulation be replaced with the principles of individual freedom and individual choice. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation. I thank Representative Roby for sponsoring this important initiative.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Mr. Speaker, the American people know that a budget is one of the most important documents produced by any legislative body. It is a document that reflects the values and priorities of our government and our Nation; and while it is a document that is a reflection of today, more importantly, it is a document that lays out a vision for our Nation's future--the future for our children and the future that they will inherit. So now, for the first time in 4 years, the American people are able to compare, side by side, the three competing visions for our future as proposed by the House, as proposed by the Senate, and as proposed by the President. Two of these proposals would give to our children more taxes, more spending--and neither ever reaches balance. There is only one proposal, the House budget, that would instead give to our children a balanced budget and a brighter future of freedom and opportunity. Now is the time to choose the budget that reflects our American values. The American people and future generations of Americans deserve a balanced budget.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Ms. Evelyn Kowalchuk of Huddleston, VA, who passed away at the age of 93 on April 7, 2013. A brave World War II flight nurse and a remarkable woman, Ms. Kowalchuk was one of only 500 nurses to serve in World War II, putting her life on the line to provide compassion and care for our wounded soldiers. Ms. Kowalchuk served with the 818th Air Evacuation Squadron and helped evacuate the wounded troops from Omaha Beach just days after the D-Day invasion in Normandy. A life member of the Flight Nurses Association and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ms. Kowalchuk received several awards and recognitions for her military service. Having had the honor of meeting Ms. Kowalchuk, I know that this brave veteran embodied the selfless heroism that represents the best America has to offer. Her life will continue to be a reminder of our country's highest ideals. Virginia's 5th District has lost a truly special lady and our thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Kowalchuk and her family. I ask that my colleagues join me in remembering Ms. Kowalchuk and honoring her bravery, spirit, and selflessness.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the House budget plan that is on the floor today. I thank Chairman Ryan for his leadership on this positive blueprint for our future. Much has been said about a balanced budget over the past couple of weeks; and while it is important to point out that the House budget balances in 10 years while the Senate's budget never balances, I believe the more important point is why we believe our budget must balance. A balanced budget is critically important to all Americans and to the future of our great country. We must balance our budget for our senior citizens, who deserve to have security in their retirements. A balanced budget will strengthen critical retirement programs so our seniors are assured that Medicare and Social Security will continue to be there for them and for their children. We must balance our budget for our hardworking mothers and fathers across our country. A balanced budget is fundamental to a healthy and robust economy that creates good jobs that the American people need to support their families. We must balance our budget for our students. Those who are currently in our universities and in our community colleges should feel confident that an investment in their education will lead them to good-paying jobs when they graduate. A balanced budget gives them that confidence that their futures will not be threatened by staggering debt. Most importantly, we must balance our budget for our children and our grandchildren, who deserve the same chance at the American Dream that we have been given. Rather than handing them the bill for this generation's irresponsibility, a balanced budget will allow us to hand them a brighter future, an American future. Our balanced budget represents a departure from the status quo here in Washington, and it represents the House Republicans' commitment to moving our Nation forward in a fiscally responsible way. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Mr. Chair, I was not present for rollcall vote No. 84. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 3 in the Nature of a Substitute Offered by Mr. Grijalva

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. I thank the gentlelady for yielding, and I thank her for her leadership on this very, very important issue. As I travel across Virginia's Fifth District, it is clear that years of failed policies--like the President's health care law, higher taxes, and stimulus spending--have impacted the people that I represent. Main Streets all across our rural district have seen our small businesses struggle. Families across our district have felt the pain as neighbors, friends, and family members have lost their jobs and tried to find work. As our economy struggles, ensuring our unemployed and underemployed have access to the skills training that they need to improve their careers is as important as ever. However, the Federal Government workforce training programs, while well intended, are cluttered with bureaucracy, waste, and inefficiency. They're not helping those they were intended to help. Americans will not benefit from these programs until we ensure that they are both efficient and effective. At a time when the national debt is skyrocketing, a 2011 study from the GAO found that taxpayers are spending $18 billion on 47 duplicative job training programs across nine Federal agencies. Our top priority in the House of Representatives over the last 2 years has been getting Americans out of the unemployment lines and into good-paying jobs. And today we are standing up to make those critical reforms. By adopting the SKILLS Act, Congress will put words into action and take a critical step toward getting our communities back to work. This legislation will eliminate red tape that prevents workers from accessing job training, and it will ensure that support is tailored to the specific needs of individual workers. A strong workforce is critical to this Nation. I remain committed to getting Virginia's Fifth District back to work. I urge my colleagues to support me in supporting the rule and the underlying legislation.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of a remarkable public servant, my friend Major General Carroll Thackston, of South Boston in Virginia's 5th Congressional District. Major General Thackston had a distinguished military career spending six years in the United States Army and 35 years in the Virginia National Guard, where he served as inspector general, commander of the 116th Support Battalion, state military personnel officer, chief of staff, assistant adjutant general, and adjutant general following his 1994 appointment by Governor George Allen. As adjutant general, he provided encouraging words as he visited Virginia National Guard members; he helped those in need as he engaged in state emergency response operations; and he provided leadership as he oversaw the transition of Virginia National Guard operations to Fort Pickett. The recipient of two Virginia Distinguished Service Medals, Major General Thackston will be remembered for his unwavering loyalty and true devotion to serving and protecting his fellow Virginians. In addition to his role as a highly respected military veteran, Major General Thackston was also known for his service to his local community. He was a member of the South Boston Town Council and served as Mayor of South Boston. He also served on several boards including the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce, the Richmond and South Boston United Way, the South Boston School Board, and the YMCA. Major General Thackston was a dear friend and he will be missed by our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a great Virginian and a truly dedicated public servant who not only made an impression on the lives of those of us in the Fifth District, but a man who made a difference in the lives of all Virginians.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of World War II veteran and military broadcaster, and a dear friend, Colonel Robert S. Cranston, of Bedford County, Virginia. In November of 1942, Colonel Cranston signed up to serve. At 22, he was promoted to sergeant major of the 51st Signal Battalion and by 1943 he was named a second lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps. He bravely fought in Normandy following the D-Day invasion and was later wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. And he served side by side with General Eisenhower as he commanded the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Col. Cranston dedicated his life to serving our nation and to keeping our troops and all Americans informed through broadcast media. Our community has suffered a great loss and I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring the life of Col. Cranston for his selflessness, courage, and sacrifice and for his important role in history as a source of information to our men and women in uniform fighting abroad to defend our freedoms at home.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. I was not present for rollcall vote No. 43. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' Stated against:

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Amendment XI: ``The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.'' Amendment XII: ``The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for President and Vice President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate.''

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Virginia Industries for the Blind, an Ability One organization that began in Charlottesville that empowers blind and visually impaired Virginians in achieving their maximum level of employment and career development. With 19 locations throughout Virginia, the organization employs approximately 150 people, including over 100 whom are blind or visually impaired. In May, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the good work that Virginia Industries for the Blind does for our local communities. Virginia Industries for the Blind operates retail stores on military bases and in federal buildings throughout Virginia. From making the mattresses used by our heroes in the United States Navy to the reflective vests that hard-working Virginians depend on for safety, Virginia Industries for the Blind gives back to our community in more ways than one. Today, I hope my colleagues will join me in commending Virginia Industries for the Blind for their service to our local communities.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for your leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the House plan to stop this massive tax hike on the American people that is set to take place at the end of this year. The people of central and Southside Virginia know that our economic outlook is bleak. Spending is on the increase, unemployment is high, high fuel prices have left lasting damage to our economy, and the government take-over of health care is raiding our pocketbooks at a time when we can least afford it. And now, Mr. Speaker, they want more. Now the President and the Senate say that they want to raise taxes and dig deeper into the pockets of the hardworking American people. I have said time and again that we have a spending problem in D.C. We don't have a ``we don't tax people enough'' problem. This is now more clear than ever as our national debt ticks upward towards $16 trillion. Now is not the time to raise taxes on anyone. It will only lead to more job loss and more spending at a time when the American people are counting on us to get our economy back on track. And while we have addressed this tax issue in the House for today, it is equally pressing that we address the issue of our long-term prosperity. This country has long needed comprehensive tax reform. History has shown that temporary tax extensions will not fix the problem; they simply apply a Band-Aid. That is why the House plan has taken a thoughtful approach to stopping the impending tax hike and laying out our framework for reforming the Tax Code in a way that will make it simpler and fairer. The House plan also puts in place expedited procedures to insure that Congress does its job once and for all and addresses the dire need for comprehensive tax reform. I was proud to support the legislation yesterday to stop the massive year-end tax hike, and I am proud to support this bill today to reform our Tax Code. It's the right thing to do for our country, and it's the right thing to do for our children and grandchildren.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Leadership Alliance. The Leadership Alliance, which includes the 5th District's University of Virginia, is a national academic consortium of leading research universities and minority serving institutions with the mission to develop underrepresented students into outstanding leaders and role models. In the 20 years since its establishment, the Leadership Alliance has mentored over 2000 undergraduates who have participated in the Summer Research Early Identification Program and over 200 alumni who have obtained their PhD or MD-PhD degrees as Leadership Alliance Doctoral Scholars. In the 5th District, the University of Virginia has mentored over 15 participants in the Summer Research Early Identification Program and the Summer Undergraduate Research Program in fields ranging from Education to Biomedical Sciences. I am pleased today to congratulate and commend the Leadership Alliance and the University of Virginia for 20 years of mentoring a diverse and competitive workforce.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. I thank the chairman for yielding, and I thank him for his leadership on this issue. I rise today in support of this legislation that will save this country billions of dollars and create thousands of much-needed jobs. Mr. Chairman, ``red tape'' is a word we hear all too often in Washington, but when you get back to places like Danville, Virginia, and talk with the people who are stuck in it, you gain a new perspective on what Federal regulations mean to everyone outside of the beltway. As the Federal Government continues to grow in size and scope, our Main Street businesses continue to struggle. The President tells us that the private sector is doing just fine. The President tells us that if you've got a business, you didn't build it. But the President has not told us how he plans to help our small business owners grow and create the jobs our local communities need. Our Nation has faced over 8 percent unemployment for more than 3 years. We're being crushed under a rapidly accumulating $16 trillion debt, and both of these things have everything to do with the policies set forth in Washington that grow the Federal Government and strangle our Main Street businesses. Where others will not lead, the House will. That's why we remain focused on adopting legislation like the bill we consider today, legislation that will remove the Federal Government as a barrier to job creation. This package of bills will lead us to responsible regulations and ensure that the economic impacts of Federal regulations are accounted for. Most importantly, it will give our small business owners across central and south Virginia the ability to hire and expand their businesses at a time when many are closing their doors. This legislation is the kind this country needs to turn the corner from a struggling economy to the America that we have known for generations, a country of limited government and unlimited opportunity. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. I thank the chairman for yielding. I rise today on behalf of the people of Virginia's Fifth District. As I visit with central and southside Virginians across my district, they all echo the same sentiment: The burdens caused by high fuel prices in this stalled economy are negatively impacting their lives. This issue particularly resonates in the Commonwealth because just last month, the administration announced that its 5-year energy plan will exclude resources off of the coast of Virginia. This announcement comes as a shock to the people that I represent. At a time when the Fifth District is suffering from 3 years of high unemployment, now the administration has said it will put thousands more Virginia jobs on hold. It also shocks us because it shows just how out of touch Washington is when it comes to the devastation that high fuel prices are causing at home. Energy prices may have subsided for now, but now is the time to act. I am proud to support this legislation which replaces the administration's unreasonable and irresponsible energy policy. I believe that this legislation will bring jobs to Virginia, help keep fuel prices low, and move our country forward to spur economic growth in central and southside Virginia.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall vote No. 383 on agreeing to the DeFazio Amendment to H.R. 2578. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Health Care Cost Reduction Act. The American people know that the President's health care law is costing us more in premiums and more in taxes. It's costing us our constitutional liberties, and it is costing us American jobs. One of the tax increases that will support this law is a $20 billion tax on our manufacturers that will result in thousands of lost American jobs at a time when our unemployment rate is over 8 percent for the third year in a row. Today's vote keeps faith with the American people as we continue working to repeal this law and to replace it with reforms that will deliver higher quality health care, lower costs, and that will preserve American jobs. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I thank the chairman and the committee for its work on this bill.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In Virginia's Fifth District, State and local officials have been working diligently to attract new businesses to create new jobs in Southside, Virginia. In Henry County, a county located in Virginia's Fifth District, local officials have identified a 200-acre site that has the potential to attract major economic development opportunities at a time when the Martinsville-Henry County area suffers from the highest unemployment rate in Virginia--15 percent and 10 percent respectively. Unfortunately, Federal regulators, including the Army Corps of Engineers, have resisted moving forward with this important initiative and stalled the county's permit application because of the lack of an identified end- user for the site. At the same time, the potential companies that would invest in this site and create jobs in Southside, Virginia, are unwilling to commit their resources due to the risk and time delays associated with an outstanding permit with the Corps. While State regulators have issued permits for the Henry County site, the Corps continues to be steadfast in its unwillingness to move forward with the permit, even though they have issued permits for similar speculative development projects in the past which subsequently attracted new industries and jobs to that area. Mr. Chairman, this site represents an economic opportunity that could bring thousands of jobs to an area of Virginia that is still struggling with double-digit unemployment. This project has bipartisan support from members of the congressional delegation, as well as Virginia's governor, Bob McDonnell. Virginia has proven that it is the most attractive State for business and has been recognized as such in the past year. If given the opportunity, I have no doubt that the site would be the impetus for economic development in Martinsville and Henry County, an area which needs economic development more than ever. Mr. Chairman, I would ask your assistance in working with me to ensure that Federal regulators are not needlessly stalling economic development and job creation in Virginia's Fifth District and other areas of our country. With that, I thank the chairman for his leadership on this bill and on this issue, and I look forward to working with him.

Mr. HURT

Mr. HURT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay respects to Congressman Bill Wampler, former representative of Virginia's ``Fighting 9th District,'' who will truly be missed. Congressman Wampler served the people of Southwest Virginia for nearly two decades, and with his passing, the Commonwealth has lost a great leader and a great man. Congressman Wampler took pride in working in his family's business in Bristol, he served our country with honor during World War II, and he worked tirelessly for the people of Southwest Virginia for nearly 20 years in the United States House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, though Congressman Wampler is in a better place now, he will surely be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wampler family and I know that my colleagues join me today as we remember our friend and honor his legacy to the Commonwealth of Virginia and to our nation.