Kendra Horn

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the continued effort by the U.S. Trade Representative and the Democratic working group to finalize the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the USMCA. Oklahoma workers, families, businesses, and our Nation benefit from free and fair international trade. Every day, Oklahomans create and export world-class products, and two of our largest trading partners are our neighbors to the north and the south. In 2018 alone, Oklahoma exported a total of $5.6 billion in manufactured goods. Nearly half of those went to Mexico and Canada. In the same year, Oklahoma agriculture exports to Mexico and Canada totaled $154 million. A stronger trading relationship with Mexico and Canada means a stronger economy for Oklahoma. It is imperative that Congress finish negotiating and pass a strong trade agreement to restore certainty in our trading relationship with Canada and Mexico and support millions of American jobs in the process. Though finding common ground is not easy, it is critical, and I support the USTR and lawmakers' work to find a bipartisan path forward for this important trade agreement.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the Export-Import Bank is a critically important tool in the economic toolbox for Oklahoma businesses and workers. The Ex-Im Bank has long helped Oklahoma businesses sell their products to the global marketplace, opening the door for our economy to enter global commerce. Over the last 5 years alone, the Ex-Im Bank's partnership with businesses across my State has resulted in the export of more than $500 million in goods around the world. My amendment would require the GAO to submit to Congress, within 1 year, a report about the impact that closure of the Export-Import Bank would have on businesses that utilize the Bank's services. I have visited with businesses across my State and district about the use of the Export-Import Bank and learned from them how the services of the Ex-Im Bank helped them to export their products. One important service that they shared with me is the Export-Import Bank's credit insurance program. This program allows businesses to purchase insurance and acts as a safety net in the case where a foreign buyer does not fully pay for the product that was exported. One company in my district is the Mills Machine Company, located in Shawnee, Oklahoma. This small business, established in 1908, is a family-owned custom manufacturer and worldwide exporter of earth drilling tools and bits. Chuck Mills, the president of Mills Machine Company, shared that the Export-Import Bank's credit insurance program allows his company to offer open account terms to their customers with minimal risk. When the Ex-Im Bank's reauthorization lapsed in 2015, Mr. Mills searched the private market for similar insurance to the Ex-Im Bank but couldn't find anything remotely comparable. His business slowed until the Bank's reauthorization later this year. The Bank's lapsed reauthorization in 2015 gave us but a small window into the economic hardship that would result if the Export-Import Bank permanently closed for the Mills Machine Company and many other similar businesses across this country. My amendment would help us further understand the impact closure of the Export-Import Bank would have on businesses across this country. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the reauthorization of this bill so American businesses across this country and in Oklahoma can continue to utilize the Bank to grow their businesses and export American products to the world. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I will close by saying, the information that this amendment would provide will help us to have a broader picture of the economic impact and benefits of the services and the benefits of the Export-Import Bank. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, a student run and led mock-government organization. OIL has brought together thousands of young people from every corner of my State to learn how to effect change and to make their voices heard in our democracy. OIL replicates every part of Oklahoma's State government, from our legislative branch to the Governor's office to the judiciary. The college students who participate in this program draft their own legislation, build lifelong and often bipartisan friendships, and learn what it takes to move an idea from concept to reality. They learn how to craft policy, negotiate and compromise, and how to lead. I know because, as a young college student, I was a member of OIL and learned these lessons myself, as have so many of Oklahoma's current leaders in government, civic, and business communities. So, today, please join me in celebrating OIL's 50th anniversary and the impact it has and will have on Oklahoma's students and future leaders.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the urgent need to address the high and rising costs of prescription drug prices in this country. Far too often, I have heard heartbreaking stories from Oklahomans and people in my community who face the unacceptable reality of choosing between putting food on their table and taking the lifesaving medications they need. Earlier this year, I held a townhall where I heard from many people in Oklahoma, and we released a report about the soaring costs of insulin. In my district alone, more than 22,000 seniors on Medicare and other Oklahomans living with disabilities and diabetes face prescription drug costs of more than $25 million. It is time to act and make medicine more affordable and make it possible for people to get the lifesaving prescription drugs they need. One important solution is limiting the out-of-pocket costs for patients at the pharmacy counter. That is why I introduced the Capping Drug Costs for Seniors Act. This practical solution lowers the cost for patients directly. This bill keeps Medicare part D patients from paying more than $2,000 out of pocket, which has a real impact for 46 million Americans who rely on this program. Medication only works if it is taken as prescribed. The high cost of prescription drugs forces too many people to choose between putting food on their table and buying the medicine they need. We must continue working on this important issue and create pathways to affordable medications and improving health.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 860.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise today to talk about H.R. 1595, the SAFE Banking Act. Later today, we will consider this important piece of right-sized, pragmatic legislation that tackles problems facing our communities. H.R. 1595, the SAFE Banking Act, is a bipartisan bill that confronts a problem that has arisen from the conflict between State and Federal law and is currently endangering communities, as well as inhibiting small businesses from growing. Currently, 33 States, including my home State of Oklahoma, have passed some form of legalized cannabis. However, due to the schedule I status in Federal law, it is illegal for banks across this country to work with cannabis and cannabis-related businesses, even in States where it has been legalized. This prevents businesses from using banks to deposit their revenue, pay their bills, finance capital improvement projects, and makes it challenging for them to file their taxes. This has also created a serious safety hazard for cannabis and cannabis-related businesses by forcing them to hold on to large amounts of cash on their premises and increases the likelihood of tax evasion, which has been historically prevalent among cash-only businesses. The SAFE Banking Act resolves these issues by creating a legal pathway for banks to serve cannabis and cannabis-related businesses without fear of Federal sanctions. Importantly, this bill defends States' rights by allowing banks in States where cannabis is legal to serve these businesses, but does not force banks to serve them and does not force it in States where it is illegal. Last year, Oklahoma legalized medical cannabis, and, since then, Oklahoma's industry has become one of the fastest growing in the Nation. Just this past April, Oklahomans spent more than $18 million on medical cannabis, and the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority has licensed 1,400 dispensaries and 2,700 commercial growers in the State. This industry is bringing revenue to our State, creating small businesses, and helping those who suffer with physical illness to relieve their ailments. The SAFE Banking Act supports this growing Oklahoma industry, our banks, and works to keep Oklahomans that work in and around this industry safe. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this pragmatic legislation that makes our community safer, protects States' rights, supports small businesses, and grows our economy.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the FAIR Act that makes forced arbitration clauses illegal. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I worked to protect servicemembers and their families from negligently managed base housing and the contracts they were forced to sign to keep them quiet. Our servicemembers should have the right to advocate for themselves. We cannot hold bad actors accountable when they can hide in arbitration proceedings. No one should have to sign away their right to go to court after experiencing sexual assault or discrimination, but that is exactly what forced arbitration clauses do. Arbitration can be an option to solve disagreements without going to court, but everyone involved should get to choose. If you downloaded an app, signed up for a credit card, or signed an employment contract, you may have signed away your right to hold someone accountable. I don't believe that you can sign away your constitutional rights. Mr. Speaker, I voted for the FAIR Act to level the playing field for consumers, small businesses, and workers across America, and I strongly urge the Senate to take it up as soon as possible.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, the U.S. Government is entrusted by the American people with certain responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is managing our government's finances and using taxpayer dollars wisely. In the last few decades, our government leaders have too often ignored this responsibility, opting rather to pay lip service to responsibly managing our budget but neglecting to do so in practice. This neglect has led to rampant spending, missed budgetary deadlines, and burdensome borrowing that have become mainstays of every Congress, regardless of which party holds the majority. The 116th Congress must take action to break this unsustainable cycle and restore the fiscal responsibility Americans have entrusted us with. The 2019 GAO High-Risk List reveals that many federal government programs are over budget. This financial situation is not specific to one government agency or program. It can be found across the federal government. America must remain a world leader in many areas, such as scientific research, reliable infrastructure, and defense technology, and I understand that to do so requires large financial investments. However, it is also my responsibility as a Member of Congress to ensure the money our government spends is being used effectively and efficiently so Americans are getting the most out of their hard-earned taxpayer dollars. I have made it a priority to support legislation that addresses our government's spending habits. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I put forth a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with fellow Oklahoman, Congressman Tom Cole, to allow the Department of Defense (DoD) to have better oversight of where and how government defense money is being spent. The amendment requires the office of the Inspector General to audit all sole-source contracts with depot maintenance centers. This audit, and other financial accounting tools, act as accountability measures to ensure the government is being a good steward of taxpayer money while keeping our country safe. As a member of the Government Efficiency Caucus and the Blue Dog Coalition, I am constantly working with my colleagues to find ways to promote responsible government spending. The bipartisan Government Efficiency Caucus works to find pragmatic solutions to government spending that increase the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs. The Blue Dog Coalition's Fiscal Responsibility Task Force analyzes ways to strengthen our fiscal responsibility and close the cycle of widespread government spending. During the 116th Congress, the Government Efficiency Caucus has identified three priorities to improve the government's fiscal efficiency. These priorities include focusing on ensuring government agencies adopt monetary best practices to increase efficiency and effectiveness; supporting reasonable policy proposals that will improve the on-time, on-budget delivery of federal infrastructure investments; and modernizing the federal government workforce to ensure government employees have the skills, knowledge, and technology, to be good stewards of taxpayer money. The Blue Dog Coalition's Fiscal Responsivity Task Force has released a set of policy proposals that include financial stability measures like creating a federal rainy-day fund so Congress is less reliant on massive, unplanned emergency spending when disasters strike. Another proposal emphasizes a return to the regular process of creating and passing the federal budget on time every year. This proposal outlines concepts like ``No Budget, No Pay'' and ``No Budget, No Recess,'' which would increase the consequences on Congress for not passing a federal budget on time. These and other proposals outlined by the Blue Dog Fiscal Responsibility Task Force should be given extensive consideration by Congress, so our government can correct the bad fiscal habits it has developed. Future generations of Americans should not have to pay for our irresponsible spending. It is up to us to get America's fiscal house in order so we can prove to the world that we are a nation that keeps its fiscal promises. Doing so will not only improve our government and its standing in the world, but also increase the faith that taxpayers have in the government to spend their money wisely.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, this week, we celebrate one of the most remarkable moments in human history: The launch of the Apollo 11 lunar mission, and the first steps on the Moon by American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. American leadership, ingenuity, and investment made this moment possible 50 years ago. As the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee chairwoman, I am honored to be joined by my colleagues today to recognize this achievement and talk about what it means, 50 years later. As we commemorate this historic accomplishment, it is clear that we stand on the shoulders of space pioneers, some of whom are still with us today. Apollo 11 and Armstrong's first steps on the lunar surface were the culmination of a focused, methodical buildup of the developments, demonstrations, and operational capabilities needed to achieve the Moon landing. The value of the Apollo program is beyond measure. Its mission inspired and continues to draw countless Americans into science, technology, engineering and math. This program led to significant technological advances and products that changed the world as we know it and benefit our lives today. Fundamentally, the success of Apollo contributed to our standing in the world. Apollo taught us the value of taking audacious, and yet intentional risks. I would like to focus, as well, for a moment, on the mission that immediately preceded the Moon landing, Apollo 10. This mission, launched 2 months before, was launched to test all of the components and procedures just short of landing. Carrying the lunar module, it came as close as 50,000 feet from the lunar surface before returning safely to Earth. Retired Air Force General Thomas P. Stafford, an Oklahoman, commanded this essential mission that enabled us to land on the Moon. General Stafford was born in Weatherford, Oklahoma, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1952, graduating with honors. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force, he completed advanced interceptor training and served tours of duty flying F-86Ds. He then graduated from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School as the outstanding graduate. Throughout his career, Stafford flew more than 100 different types of aircraft as he pushed the boundaries of achievement in air and space. Stafford was selected as an astronaut in 1962 and, 3 years later, flew on Gemini 6 as the first space rendezvous mission, followed by Gemini 9. Later, General Stafford commanded the first international space flight mission, Apollo-Soyuz. This peaceful cooperation between two Cold War rivals was the first step in what has become a sustained relationship between the U.S., Russia, and our international partners with the International Space Station. The last of the Apollo missions, its lasting impacts, reminds us that even in times of warfare and global distress, that space exploration is a unifying force of discovery, peace, cooperation, and diplomacy. Beyond all his accomplishments, General Stafford has also become a friend and mentor. To General Stafford, and all of those who contributed to the success of Apollo, you inspired a generation and showed the world what is possible when our Nation comes together to focus on an ambitious goal and, in turn, change the world in both foreseeable and unforeseeable ways.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor another Oklahoma trailblazer in space. Astronaut John Herrington is a retired United States naval aviator and former NASA astronaut. Born in Wetumka, Oklahoma, Herrington made history in 2002 as the first Native American to fly in space. A citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, Herrington earned a bachelor's of science degree in applied mathematics from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, a master's of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Ph.D. from the University of Idaho. As a mission specialist on the STS-113 Endeavour mission, it was the 11th American assembly mission to the International Space Station. Dr. Herrington spent more than 330 hours in space and conducted three space walks, totaling nearly 20 hours. Dr. Herrington then served as a capsule communicator, supporting shuttle and space station training and operations, and he was later chosen to become the chief engineer for safety and mission assurance at the Johnson Space Center. I am proud of Dr. Herrington's achievements and barriers broken for Tribal citizens in space exploration.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean).

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stanton).

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild).

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider).

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire how much time is remaining on each side?

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Schrier).

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support the en bloc package, as well as the NDAA upon final passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 476, as the designee of the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith), I offer amendments en bloc.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Smith for yielding. I rise today to speak about two amendments in this en bloc package that are critical to the Nation's security and good governance. The first is a bipartisan amendment that addresses the need for oversight and accountability in our national security infrastructure. This bipartisan amendment directs the IG to audit DOD departments and agencies to determine if excess profit and cost escalation on sole- source contracts has taken place. This is important not only for our bases and maintenance, but it impacts our Nation's readiness. While we understand that contractors and suppliers need to make a profit, that doesn't mean that our taxpayer dollars should go to fund excess profits and escalations that are well outside of the norm. This good governance is reasonable and helps us to ensure our Nation's security while being good stewards of the taxpayer dollars. The second amendment in this en bloc package addresses our Nation's security in a different way: that of the air traffic controllers, who pay into their retirement throughout their career until they are forced to retire at the age of 56, many of whom are our Nation's veterans. Right now, we are experiencing a severe shortage of air traffic controllers across this Nation, and retired air traffic controllers are some of the most qualified supervisors and trainers. However, under current law, all FERS retirees either must work under 1.5 days per week or full-time, otherwise, they lose their Federal retirement. This amendment allows all retirees to simply retain their hard-earned retirement dollars that they have paid in, so we can train the next generation of air traffic controllers.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 476, I offer amendments en bloc as the designee for Mr. Smith of Washington.

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch).

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chair, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Horsford).

Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith).