Doug Lamborn

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Focus on the Family, a vital American institution dedicated to preserving one of our country's most foundational pillars--the family. Forty years ago, there were dire warning signs of the erosion of the family and the Judeo-Christian roots that have brought such benefit and blessing to the United States of America, and to the entire world. Dr. James Dobson saw these threats and could not ignore them. In Psalm 11:3, King David asks, ``When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?'' That question has been viewed by some as a lament--a rhetorical question that signals defeat or resignation. But others take it as a rallying cry--to weigh that question, to search one's heart, and to resolve to do something about the foundations that are being destroyed. It was in this spirit that Dr. James Dobson founded Focus on the Family. Instead of retreating or shrugging off the problem to the next generation, Focus on the Family has proven what the righteous can truly do. Under the vision and leadership of Dr. Dobson and more recently Jim Daly, by the grace of God, incredible things have been accomplished to preserve, promote, and protect the family. It would be impossible to quantify the full impact that Focus on the Family has had in our own nation as well as across the world. We do know that thousands of marriages have been revived, prodigal sons and daughters have been brought home, life changes have been successfully navigated, young adults have been equipped, children have been lovingly discipled, and families have been encouraged and strengthened. I do want to highlight a significant impact that can be quantified. Through Focus on the Family's Option Ultrasound, over 720 grants have been awarded to pregnancy centers to purchase ultrasound machines. As a direct result, over 382,000 lives have been saved by mothers choosing life over abortion. In Colorado Springs, our local pregnancy centers have benefitted greatly from the generosity of Focus on the Family. Many of the materials given to women facing unexpected pregnancies come from Focus. In fact, since Life Network obtained its very first ultrasound machine through Focus on the Family, over 2000 women who have seen their babies on ultrasounds have chosen life. What an incalculable, multi- generational blessing. Although Focus on the Family was founded in California, we are glad that they saw the light and relocated to Colorado Springs when they did in 1991. I wonder for how many children around the country--even the world--their first knowledge of Colorado Springs is through Adventures in Odyssey. It is truly a privilege to celebrate with Focus on the Family on the occasion of their 40th anniversary. Focus on the Family has fortified our families and our country, and for that, I am truly grateful.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleagues Ms. Pingree of Maine and Mr. Moulton of Massachusetts, in strong support of the small but strategically important country of Montenegro. This past weekend, Montenegro celebrated the eleventh anniversary of its independence. This week, President Trump will attend the NATO Summit in Brussels, where Montenegro will be officially welcomed as a new Member. Along with the gentlewoman from Maine, I chair the Congressional Montenegro Caucus. The goal of the Caucus is simple: to educate Members of Congress on U.S.-Montenegro relations and show the people of Montenegro that they have friends here in the United States, including the U.S. Congress. Over the last year, the relationship between the United States and Montenegro has received greater attention here on Capitol Hill. I rise today to ask my colleagues to continue to devote time and attention over the year ahead on this important alliance. Indeed, in an overwhelming display of bipartisanship on March 28th the Senate ratified accession of Montenegro to become the 29th member of NATO. On April 11th, President Trump signed a Presidential Memoranda codifying this significant landmark. I am proud to also share that on April 27th our counterparts--the elected representatives in the Montenegrin Parliament--voted 46-0 to ratify accession to NATO. Eleven years ago this week, the people of Montenegro voted in favor of peacefully becoming an independent state and dissolving the union with Serbia. Shortly thereafter, all five members of the United Nations Security Council recognized the newest country in the world, beginning a new chapter in the history of trans-Atlantic relations regional and history. The events of the last few weeks and the last 11 years demonstrate the truest form of representative democracy. Civil debate here on Capitol Hill and in Podgorica among elected leaders representing the will of our constituents has shown the world that democracy remains the best form of government, despite its imperfections. As Churchill said, ``No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.'' [Churchill By Himself, 2013] The inclusion of Montenegro into NATO will strengthen regional and trans-Atlantic security, and sends a strong message of the importance of democratic values. As my colleagues know, democratic values-- transparency, equal justice and rule of law--must constantly be fostered. Accession into NATO has allowed Montenegro to advance toward these values. It is our responsibility as a Congress to help this new nation further embrace Euro-Atlantic integration and to increase its ability to fight organized crime and corruption. Meanwhile, American business leaders likewise play a vital role. For example, the Stratex Group, the largest American investor in Montenegro with roots in Massachusetts, continues to work alongside our Embassy to foster stronger bilateral relations and a commitment by all Montenegrin elected officials--local and federal--to these democratic values we all hold dear. Only two places in Montenegro fly the American flag: the U.S. Embassy and the Stratex properties. Beyond strengthening our formal diplomatic alliance, my colleagues here in Congress must endeavor to creatively promote stronger ties in at least two ways. First, the State Partnership between the Maine National Guard and Montenegro has been successfully building relationships for over a decade, linking a unique component of the U.S. Department of Defense with the armed forces of Montenegro in a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship. Through this program, the U.S. National Guard conducts military-to-military engagements in support of defense security goals but also leverages whole-of-society relationships and capabilities to facilitate broader interagency and corollary engagements spanning military, government, economic and social spheres. Second, we must support business and cultural diplomacy--in Montenegro and around the world, encouraging our diplomats to have a greater appreciation for American investments in emerging democracies. To attract additional investment, Montenegro must fully commit to the rule of law, transparency and an independent judiciary. With the continued focus from the United States, I am confident Montenegrin government leaders will continue down the path of reform. The Congressional Montenegro Caucus congratulates Montenegro on their achievements as they finally have a seat at the table at this week's NATO meeting, and stands in support of a stable, secure Europe based on collective self-defense, economic freedom, the rule of law, and democracy.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, every day, courageous men and women in America's law enforcement leave the safety of their homes to go into volatile situations, not knowing whether or not they will even return home safely. These brave police officers and first responders have dedicated their lives to ensuring our safety, as well as the safety of our neighborhoods and communities. I honor these fearless men and women and recognize the sacrifice they and their families make. But merely saying thank you is not enough. The Thin Blue Line Act will protect law enforcement officials by giving harsher penalties to criminals targeting the police and first responders who put their lives on the line daily to protect and defend us. It is my duty and privilege to support efforts that give our dedicated law enforcement officials the best possible chance of coming home safely every day. Mr. Speaker, this is how I can show my gratitude. Each House Member should join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 215.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Roe of Tennessee for his leadership on this legislation and also for letting me speak. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1259, the VA Accountability First Act. For years, my colleagues and I have fought hard to hold VA bureaucrats accountable. The VA still lacks the ability to take swift action against employees who prevent veterans from getting the benefits that they have earned. We should be able to terminate senior executives at failing hospitals that force veterans to languish on secret wait lists. We should not award bonuses to poorly performing employees who engage in misconduct, and we shouldn't provide full retirement benefits to convicted criminals whose crime harmed veterans. We can't stop there. We must go further to pursue bold reform at the VA. I look forward to working with Chairman Roe of Tennessee, Chairwoman McMorris Rodgers, and others to pass the Caring for Our Heroes in the 21st Century Act, which would finally empower veterans, including the almost 100,000 in my congressional district in Colorado, to make their own healthcare decisions. Let's pass H.R. 1259 today. It is a good piece of legislation.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1181, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act. Our veterans should not lose their right to bear arms and defend themselves and their families simply because they receive health care from the VA and have someone appointed to help them with their finances. Currently, when a veteran appoints a fiduciary to help them manage their VA benefits, the VA automatically adds the veteran's name to a list that prevents them from purchasing a firearm. It makes no sense to take away a veteran's constitutionally protected rights simply because someone else is managing their finances. Opponents of this bill argue that dangerous or suicidal veterans could have easy access to guns if this VA process is stopped. However, the program does not make any determination on veterans' mental health or the dangers they pose to others. The VA system focuses only on whether veterans receive assistance with their finances. The right to bear arms is too important to deprive veterans of due process without a judicial determination of whether the veteran poses a threat to themselves or others. Those who defend our Nation, whether or not they use a fiduciary to manage their benefits, are entitled to the right to defend themselves. I urge my colleagues to support this good bill.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule for H.R. 1301, which will fund our national defense for fiscal year 2017. This bill is a vital first step as we begin to work on rebuilding our military. The best way to look at defense spending over time is as a percentage of U.S. gross domestic product. Since World War II, we have spent an average of 5 percent of our GDP on defense during peacetime. Despite a world that has gotten more dangerous, the defense drawdown in recent years cut defense spending from 5 percent of GDP to 3 percent of GDP. And in a $17 trillion economy, that is real money. Meanwhile, since Vietnam, we have spent an average of 21 percent of the Federal budget on defense. Today, we spend well below that, about 15 percent of the overall budget. Things are so bad today--and I don't have time in 2 minutes to go into all the details--that we are actually at risk of losing more American lives than we should in the event of another war. The next step is to pass a robust defense supplemental and then to fund defense for fiscal year 2018 at a minimum level of $640 billion. Anything less will not keep Americans safe and will not allow us to rebuild our military as we desperately must do. Congress must deal with sequestration. Trying to fund defense at BCA levels is like trying to put a size 10 foot into a size 7 shoe. It simply doesn't work and it is dangerous for our own security and it is dangerous for the world.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 88.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate those comments. I would point out, for anyone who is interested, that the three of us who are here-- and I am about to yield the floor to Representative Tipton--we are all on the Natural Resources Committee. This is a committee that is going to be doing a lot of exciting and interesting things in this Congress. We are going to be very busy. I am looking forward to that. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tipton), my friend and colleague, who is also a member of the committee.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 494) to expand the boundary of Fort Frederica National Monument in the State of Georgia, and for other purposes.

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H.R. 337, the Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act, sponsored by Congresswoman Kristi Noem of South Dakota. This bill expands the Black Hills National Cemetery, outside of Sturgis, South Dakota, by permanently transferring the jurisdictional authority of approximately 200 acres of undeveloped Federal land from the Bureau of Land Management to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Originally opened in 1948, the cemetery now houses a memorial carillon, a memorial to Korean war veterans, and is the final resting place of many notable veterans, including Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Charles Windolph. With its existing acreage, the cemetery can only accommodate a finite number of additional burials. Transferring jurisdiction of the land from the BLM to the VA will provide space for hundreds of additional grave sites for future generations of American veterans. Without the transfer, the National Cemetery Administration will be forced to close the cemetery to further burials in the very near future. This is a commonsense piece of legislation that will ensure that the Black Hills National Cemetery can continue to provide proper burial sites and final resting places for America's fallen heroes. At this point, I include in the Record an exchange of letters with Chairman Roe of the Veterans' Affairs Committee regarding this bill. I thank him for helping to expedite the consideration of this bill today. I commend Representative Noem for working closely with both the BLM and the VA on this issue, and I urge the adoption of the measure. I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC, February 1, 2017. Hon. Rob Bishop, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 337, the Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act. There are certain provisions in the legislation which fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. In the interest of permitting your committee to proceed expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill, I am willing to waive this committee's right to sequential referral. I do so with the understanding that by waiving consideration of the bill, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction. I request that you urge the Speaker to name members of this committee to any conference committee which is named to consider such provisions. Please place this letter into the committee report on H.R. 337 and into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank you. Sincerely, David P. Roe, M.D., Chairman.

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado for his gracious remarks. I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from the great State of South Dakota (Mrs. Noem), who is working hard for the people of her State.

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 689) to insure adequate use and access to the existing Bolts Ditch headgate and ditch segment within the Holy Cross Wilderness in Eagle County, Colorado, and for other purposes.

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Since 1882, the town of Minturn, Colorado, has used Bolts Ditch to fill Bolts Lake, a place of recreation for the town and an important source of water for the surrounding community. When Congress passed the Colorado Wilderness Act in 1980, 450 feet of Bolts Ditch was inadvertently included in the Holy Cross Wilderness area, leading to questions and the town's ability to access this important infrastructure. After a discussion amongst stakeholders, the town agreed to seek a legislative solution to address this access issue. This bipartisan bill, sponsored by Congressman Jared Polis and cosponsored by Congressman Tipton and myself, simply allows the Forest Service to issue a special use permit to the town of Minturn to allow nonmotorized access to maintain a headgate and water ditch in the Holy Cross Wilderness. This bill ensures the town will have access to Bolts Ditch for basic maintenance needs. H.R. 689 was developed in consultation with the community and the Forest Service and enjoys support from a wide range of groups in the region. I urge adoption of the measure. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LAMBORN

Mr. LAMBORN. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 688, sponsored by Congressman Jared Polis and cosponsored by Congressman Tipton and myself, would adjust the boundary of the Arapaho National Forest in the State of Colorado to incorporate 93 acres. It passed the House under suspension of the rules during the 113th and 114th Congresses. The legislation would incorporate 10 undeveloped parcels of land into the Arapaho National Forest. The parcels sit between the Arapaho and the Rocky Mountain National Park and will help the Forest Service to better manage this land. The bill ensures that private landowners with parcels within the national forest will continue to have access through these parcels. Additionally, the land purchased by the Forest Service must be with the written consent of the landowner. I urge adoption of the measure. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to just build on what my colleague was saying about the rest of his bills. On this one, there is strong collaboration and consensus. I look forward to working with him to pass it. I will make an offer on the rest of his bills. If he lets me help him write them, I bet we could get them to the floor sooner. In all seriousness, the Rocky Mountain National Park is a crown jewel of the National Park System. I believe it is in the top five of all parks in the entire country in terms of visitorship. It is very popular, and for good reason. It is a spectacular and accessible place near Boulder, Colorado, not far from Denver. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I reserve the balance of my time.