Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of John Davis. John served as the Military and Veterans Liaison for Washington's Fifth Congressional District for the last 4 years, though his service to our country spans over 40 years. When you hear about John's family's past perhaps it is no surprise that he too followed in their great footsteps of service to this nation. Did you know he can trace his family's history back almost 200 years? And throughout that history, members of John's family line have fought in almost every major battle including most of the major battles here in the United States, from the Revolutionary War all the way up to the Gulf War. John continued his family's legacy by serving as a crew chief on a C- 130 for the United States Air Force during the war in Vietnam. He served tours in Korea, Japan and Israel and all around the United States. John was the original ``rocket man,'' working in ICBM missile units as a combat crew member, planner and maintenance officer. During his service, John was awarded the Lance P. Sijan Award, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership in their jobs and lives. John continues to be a leader in his service for his brothers and sisters in the armed forces. From helping the widow of a veteran facing eviction due to a filing error stay in her home to staying late in the night to hear from 29 veterans who walked into our office in Colville to ensure their voices were heard, John led with a spirit of service. John spent more than 14 years assisting our Veterans who were homeless through the VA Homeless Programs as well as working as a mental health professional, serving as a senior clinician on the Involuntary Treatment Team. His passion to help our veterans continues to this day. Each year hundreds of veterans reach out to my office as their last hope, and when they called John was there, ready to fight for them, and get them the care and help they earned. Forty years of faithful, diligent service to this nation deserves to be recognized, and I am so honored to be able to do so in this way. To my friend John Davis, I can never say thank you enough for all you have done for Eastern Washington veterans, for my office, and for America. His retirement is well deserved.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Laura Skaer, Executive Director of the American Exploration & Mining Association. Laura is retiring this month, after serving as Executive Director of the AEMA for the last 22 years. Laura's work on behalf of the AEMA has led this organization to become the largest membership-based mining industry trade association in the United States. Laura's career began as a lawyer in Missouri, but eventually took her through various positions in the natural resources industry. Laura has played a vital role in advocating for our natural resources industry, and is well known for her effective work in coordinating the efforts of the public and private sectors. Laura has also been widely acknowledged for her efforts on behalf of the AEMA. Among her many awards and accolades, Laura has been named President of the Independent Petroleum Association Mountain States, Regional Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, and a member of Colorado's Minerals, Energy and Geology Policy Advisory Board. Additionally, in 2004, Laura received the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Sustainable Development Award and has also received special recognition from the U.S. Forest Service, Division of Minerals & Geology Management. I appreciate Laura's work on behalf of the AEMA and the positive example she provides to the people of Eastern Washington. I wish her the best in this next chapter of her life.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jan Gee, the President and CEO of the Washington Food Industry Association. Jan was recently presented the Woman of the Year award from the Women Grocers of America. She has dedicated more than 30 years to being a voice for small businesses in eastern Washington and continues to work tirelessly on behalf of family-owned markets and grocery stores throughout our State. The winner of this award must exemplify the true characteristics of a leader. With a passion for the independent grocery industry, Jan Gee fits that description to a ``T.'' She has mentored and empowered women colleagues, inspiring and encouraging many to take on leadership positions. I have known Jan since my days in the Washington State legislature. She is so deserving of this award because of her hard work, not only for small businesses but for helping to support the next generation of female leaders, entrepreneurs, and small business owners in Washington State. I appreciate all that Jan has done and congratulate her on being recognized with the Woman of the Year award. God bless you, Jan.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 117.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the President's national emergency declaration. First and foremost, I support President Trump, and I support the wall. Walls work to protect our security, combat human trafficking, stop the flow of drugs, and encourage legal immigration. Democrats have pushed for zero wall money, open borders, and abolishing ICE. These policies make our Nation vulnerable and threaten our security, and it is a tragedy. So I don't blame the President for proposing extreme measures to respond to their extreme policies and tactics. However, yesterday, I made the difficult decision to disapprove of this type of unilateral executive action, just as I could not approve any such unilateral action by any President. I am 100 percent with President Trump for building the wall, but the emergency declaration only maintains the status quo. Securing our border is fundamental to who we are as a sovereign nation, and that is why I voted over a dozen times for stronger border security, including $25 billion for the wall last year. Unfortunately, as the President recognized, himself, this national emergency could be tied up in the courts for years with no guarantee that judges will rule in favor of the wall to be built. It is Congress' job to provide the resources our Nation needs to keep us safe, and I am concerned that if this is tied up in the courts, we will be stuck with the status quo of no wall and a border that isn't secure. My vote to disapprove of this unilateral executive action had nothing to do with the merits or need to build President Trump's wall; it was about our Constitution and this body's exclusive Article I powers to make laws and use the power of the purse. I spoke out strongly when President Obama said that if Congress didn't act, he would use the pen and the phone, and then he proceeded to act alone on DACA and act alone in reappropriating money within ObamaCare and regulating every mud puddle in America. Remember, President Obama initially said he couldn't act alone on DACA because he wasn't a king or an emperor. After a robust debate in Congress, he flip-flopped and took executive action. His executive action took away Congress' authority to act, and DACA still isn't solved. These unilateral actions by President Obama put more power in the hands of unelected people sitting in cubicles in Washington, D.C., and they turned elected Representatives into elected bystanders. When Representatives become irrelevant, citizens become irrelevant, and we the people are powerless against faceless, unelected bureaucrats. Unilateral executive actions set bad precedent. If it is okay for the executive branch to act alone after the legislative branch doesn't reach an agreement, where does that take us? Governor Jay Inslee already has said that he would be willing to declare a national emergency on climate change allowing for drastic Federal action that would never have to be approved by Congress. What if, without any congressional approval, a future President used a national emergency to take money from our VA clinics, Fairchild Air Force Base, or force management at the Colville National Forest to force a Green New Deal on the American people? Whether it is at the border or upholding the separation of powers in our Constitution, we, conservative Republicans, must be consistent about being the party for the rule of law. It is those principles that define us. Mr. Speaker, I say to Speaker Pelosi: I am 100 percent with Trump on the wall. I am also 100 percent with the Constitution. As Representatives of the people, it is our call to put aside any personal ambition or partisan divides so that the people are protected. This isn't about political parties, personalities, or power. It never has been. It is about making sure that the promise of America is never breached and knowing that the only ones who can preserve it are we the people. I take this seriously and will always lead by upholding my Article I constitutional authority to be a strong voice for those I have the privilege of serving in the United States House of Representatives.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues this afternoon in celebrating the dignity and the value of every human life. I am a mom of three young kids, Cole, Grace, and Brynn, and I can testify that becoming a mom, bringing a life into the world, is the most amazing thing ever. With technology today, we can look into the womb; we can see day by day how a baby is developing. It is a miracle to witness and it is proof that we as human beings are not defined by our limits. We are empowered by the potential that we have and who we can become. So, Mr. Speaker, I am frightened and I am heartbroken that anyone would oppose the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act led by Congresswoman Ann Wagner. Just as the science is undeniable, it should be unthinkable to deny lifesaving care to a newborn baby. We have amazing technology. We can do more than ever. It is limitless. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues across the aisle to take a step back, to look at the science, and let this bill come to the floor. It is the right thing to do. You know, since our founding, we have been a country that cherishes every person's inalienable human right, and it is the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is in all of us to uphold those values and ensure that we are protecting the dignity of every person as God intended. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Jackie Walorski for her leadership. I thank her for bringing us all together so that we could be warriors of human dignity and human value.