Luke Messer

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support President Trump's plan to tackle the opioid epidemic, a crisis that has plagued communities and devastated families all across Indiana. In Indiana, roughly 40 percent more people die from drug overdoses than they do from car accidents. Since 2010, opioid-related deaths have nearly tripled in my State. It is past time to address the opioid epidemic and get serious about saving lives. Growing up in the 1980s, Nancy Reagan's Just Say No campaign had a real impact on my life, and I applaud President Trump's plan to do more to educate young people about the horrific effects of drug use. I also support the President's plan to address the opioid crisis by securing our border, stopping the flow of drugs pouring into our country, and reducing rampant prescription drug abuse. The President is right. For the worst drug traffickers, the death penalty should be an option. Today we took a big step in the right direction, but more must be done to help families dealing with the devastating effects of opioid abuse.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, as a parent with kids in school, I believe that no parent should have to worry if their child will come home safe at the end of the day. That is why I rise today to join President Trump in urging the Senate to immediately pass the STOP School Violence Act. The House overwhelmingly passed this legislation last week, and now it is time for the U.S. Senate to act and pass this bipartisan, commonsense bill. Among other positive steps forward, this bipartisan bill would provide funding to enable local schools to make physical and technological improvements to keep students safe. Southwestern High School in my district has been called the safest school in America because of its focus on security, training, and coordination with local law enforcement. I have had the opportunity to visit Shelby County's Southwestern High School and speak with the leadership there and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department leadership as well, and, frankly, I could not have been more impressed. If the STOP School Violence Act is enacted, more schools could follow the example set by Southwestern High School. The U.S. Senate needs to do its job now and act quickly to pass this commonsense legislation to secure our schools and keep America's children safe.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Deputy Jacob Pickett, who was killed in the line of duty in Lebanon, Indiana on March 2, 2018. Deputy Pickett was born on December 20, 1983 to Marlin and Rebecca Pickett in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Brownsburg High School in Brownsburg, Indiana and started on his path to a career in law enforcement. He graduated from Marion County Sheriff's Office Training Academy in 2010 and the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 2014. After graduating, he went on to work at the Marion County Sheriff's Office from 2010 to 2013 as a detention deputy and participated on the sheriff's presentations corps. In 2013, he started working for the Tipton County Sheriff's Department and served as the Deputy until 2015. He then went on to serve with the Boone County Sheriff's Department as a Taser Instructor and K-9 Team Leader. Deputy Pickett had a profound impact on those he served, evidenced by the outpours of support by Hoosiers across the state since his passing. He is remembered for his kind-heart, loyalty, selflessness and willingness to serve others, but most of all as a loving husband and father. Deputy Pickett is survived by his wife, Jennifer Pickett, his two sons; Wade Matthew Pickett, Lincoln David Pickett, parents; Marlin and Rebecca Pickett, sister, Kristi M. Woo, niece; Hannah N. Woo, his K-9 partner, Brik, parents-in-law; Jon and Carol Lindstrom, brothers-in- law; Jeremy Lindstrom, Christopher Lindstrom and a host of other relatives and friends. On behalf of all Hoosiers, I thank Deputy Pickett for his service and sacrifice to our great state. He represented his community, state, and country, with honor and dignity. We continue to pray for his family, friends, and all who knew him. Our hearts are with you. His service and sacrifice will always be remembered.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Private Albert Perry, who was killed in action in Saarlautern, Germany on December. 18, 1944. Private Perry was born on October 1, 1920 in Banta, Indiana, to William Herman Perry and Dessie Day Perry. He was the ninth of ten siblings, with two sisters and seven brothers. He attended Bargersville and Center Grove schools, but after only one year of high school he went to work full-time at the Earl Wilson Service Station and Garage in Franklin, Indiana to help his family. Private Perry enlisted in the Army on March 3, 1944 at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis. After several months of training, he was deployed on August 6, 1944 from Boston, MA on the SS Mariposa. He served with the Company K, 378th Infantry Regiment, 95th Infantry Division of the Third Army, which earned the nickname ``Iron Men of Metz'' after defending the town in France from repeated German attacks. Like many of our brave young soldiers, Private Perry paid the ultimate sacrifice defending and protecting our freedom. Although our debt to him can never be repaid, we have a duty to honor and recognize the sacrifice that he made protecting this great country.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a friend of mine, Thomas Reynolds, who passed away recently at the age of 68 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tom was born in Muncie, Indiana on November 6, 1949. He worked for Delta Faucet in Greensburg with my Mom, for a total of 42 years until he retired in 2013, and was married to Amy Kay Fisher on April 15, 2000, who preceded him in death on November 26, 2015. Tom was a member of the YMCA for many years, and was an avid high school basketball fan that attended numerous boy's and girl's games over the years, who loved to watch his grandsons play baseball. Throughout his life Tom had a profound impact on countless Hoosiers. On a personal note, Thomas Reynolds had a giant personality and was someone whose support and guidance I could always count on. He was supportive, as a baseball coach, early on in my life and I'm greatly appreciative of his friendship and leadership. He will be mourned most by those who knew him best, and he will be missed by all. Tom is survived by three sons: Craig (Mandy) Reynolds; Cris (Angie) Reynolds; Bobby (Heather) Reynolds; brother, Steven Loyd; sister, Rita Reynolds; and six grandchildren, Cade, Sydney, Corey, Trevor, A.J., and Cole Reynolds.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a tremendous Hoosier public servant, leader of the Indiana State Senate, David Long, who recently announced his retirement from office. David has served in the Indiana Senate for 22 years and as president pro tempore for the last 12. He is a remarkable leader who has been central to every major policy achievement in Indiana at a State level over the past decade. He led the charge on cutting taxes, passing right to work, enacting Major Moves, creating one of the biggest and best school choice programs, and permanently capping property taxes. On a personal note, David Long is my mentor. We are both graduates of Wabash College, and we both overachieved in marriage. I will always be grateful for his friendship, advice, and counsel. I thank David for his years of service.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, the Schumer shutdown is proving, once again, that the U.S. Senate is broken. The House did its job and voted to keep the government open. Now both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate need to do their job, too. Unfortunately, because of the filibuster, the Senate is being governed by a liberal minority that would rather shut down the government and play politics than pass President Trump's agenda and listen to the will of the American people. If they don't want to do their jobs, then we need to move on without them. It is time to end the filibuster in the U.S. Senate. The American people demand it. The Senate needs to change its rules. If there was no filibuster, this government shutdown would already be over, because the bill for government funding got 50 votes in the Senate last night. So let's stop the political games. End the filibuster, open our government, and put the American people back in charge.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, after a 2-year delay, one of the worst parts of ObamaCare went back into effect at the first of this year. The medical device tax prevents Indiana companies from innovating, expanding, and hiring. This tax was created when ObamaCare was created, and that result has been a burden for the tens of thousands of Hoosier workers all over the State, including those in Warsaw, Bloomington, Mishawaka, and Indianapolis. It must be repealed. This tax is bad for patients because it drives up the cost of much- needed medical devices, and it is bad for workers because it makes America's medical device industry less competitive around the globe. Fortunately, this week, some relief may soon be on the way. After weeks of debate and a lot of work, the government funding bill we are voting on this week would provide immediate relief by repealing the medical device tax for another 2 years. This result will be good for Hoosier workers and good for Indiana's economy. In the long run, repealing the medical device tax will provide certainty in the marketplace and help keep good-paying jobs in Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the 2-year repeal of the medical device tax in the bill this week, and then continue working to find a long-term solution by permanently repealing the medical device tax.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend, Kevin Lynch, who, following a five-year battle with cancer, passed away this past week. Kevin was a great Hoosier, a public servant, a tremendous leader, and a tireless advocate in advancing southeastern Indiana. He served as Dearborn County Commissioner and as the president of the Ohio-Kentucky- Indiana Regional Council of Governments. Kevin was a giant Reds fan and a loyal friend with a positive spirit, quick with a smile and an encouraging word. Kevin served Lawrenceburg and Dearborn County with pride, but his most important priority was his family. He was the loving husband to Mary Jo (Joey) for 27 years and the proud father of Michael. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Lynch family and all those who knew Kevin. Congratulations to my good friend Kevin on a tremendous life well- lived. Godspeed.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend, Kevin Lynch, who passed away following a 5-year battle with cancer just this week. Kevin was a great Hoosier, a public servant, a tremendous leader, and a tireless advocate in advancing southeastern Indiana. He served as a Dearborn County commissioner and as the president of the Ohio-Kentucky- Indiana Regional Council of Governments. Kevin was a giant Reds fan and a loyal friend, with a positive spirit, quick with a smile, and an encouraging word. Kevin served Lawrenceburg and Dearborn County with pride, but his most important priority was his family. He was the loving husband to Mary Jo--``Joey''--for 27 years and the proud father of Michael. Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers are with the entire Lynch family and all those who knew Kevin well. Congratulations to my good friend Kevin on a tremendous life well done. Godspeed my friend.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, today is an exciting day for the people of Indiana. With the passage of President Trump's tax plan, working Hoosiers will see more jobs, bigger paychecks, and a fairer, simpler Tax Code. The scare tactics of my Democratic colleagues come from a tired playbook written decades ago. It is old-style class warfare politics and tired arguments that are just not true. The proof is in the paycheck. The truth is, an average Indiana family will see tax cuts of between $1,000 and $2,000 under this plan. Let me say that again. Despite the rhetoric, working families will see a tax cut of between $1,000 and $2,000 under today's tax plan. Child tax credits will double to $2,000 per child. The standard Federal deduction will double, too. We get rid of the unpopular and unfair Obama individual mandate tax. Now, Hoosiers will not be taxed depending on their healthcare decisions. Job creators will see tax cuts, too, making America's small businesses and big businesses competitive in the global economy and better able to create good-paying jobs. All of this is good news for Indiana's working families. With today's tax cut, help is on the way. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend, Andre Lacy, who passed away this week on a trip in Botswana, Africa at the age of 78. Andre was a well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist throughout Indiana and the nation. He served as Chairman of the LDI, Ltd. Board, a family business which evolved over the years into a successful business innovation solutions firm. With his business expertise, Andre devoted his time to Butler's Business Accelerator program by mentoring students and graciously donated to Butler's business school to promote their continued success. Throughout his life, Andre made a profound impact on countless Hoosiers by providing his guidance to many boards, commissions, and civic organizations. On a personal note, Andre Lacy was my friend. He was a strong leader and a straight shooter that you could count on to be candid with you. Andre will be mourned most by those who knew him best, and he will be missed by all.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend, Fran MacAllister, who passed away on December 8, 2017. Fran was born in Portland, Indiana on February 1, 1922. She attended Ball State University and helped in the World War II efforts by working as an accountant for a company that manufactured wings for bombers and volunteered as a nurse's aide for the Red Cross. Fran was deeply involved in the music and arts communities and played the organ and accordion. She shared her love for the arts with her family and enjoyed spending time with them in her favorite place, Naples, Florida. Fran also devoted her time to Habitat for Humanity, the local YMCA board, and the League of Women Voters. On a personal note, Fran was a devoted wife to my good friend P.E. MacAllister who is one of my life heroes; a scholar, gentleman, sports fan, a devout Presbyterian, an extraordinary civic and business leader in Indiana, and one of the wisest and most decent men I have ever known. Fran will be mourned most by those who knew her best, and she will be missed by all. Fran is survived by her husband, P.E., daughters Daphne (Walter), and Jodi; grandchildren Megan, Eryn, Corinne, Olivia, Thomas, Coulter, and Barrett and great-grandchildren Elena and Matthew, whom I give my deepest sympathies. Fran lived a gratifying life and had profound impact on countless Hoosiers, and her life should be an inspiration to us all.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads: `` . . . the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.'' That right is a fundamental freedom guaranteed by our Bill of Rights. That is why I am proud to cosponsor the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which protects the Second Amendment rights of all Americans. This legislation says that if you are qualified to carry a gun in your own State, then you can carry a gun in any State that has a similar law. This bill will eliminate significant obstacles to the right to keep and bear arms for millions of Americans in every State. Hoosiers get it. Law-abiding gun owners have a right to defend themselves, and that right should not end at the State line. I urge support for this legislation and I ask my colleagues to join me in doing more to uphold our Second Amendment rights.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Columbus East High School football team on winning the 2017 IHSAA Class 5A State Championship. The Olympians faced off against the Kokomo Wildkats at Lucas Oil Stadium, on Friday, November 24, 2017. They led early in the game and won 42-28, securing their third state title in school history. I am proud of these young men for this remarkable achievement and for the sportsmanship they displayed throughout this exciting season. I want to commend Coach Bob Gaddis as well as all of the assistant coaches who led these young men to victory. Congrats, Olympians.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the East Central High School football team on winning the 2017 IHSAA Class 4A State Championship. The Trojans faced off against the undefeated Lowell Red Devils at Lucas Oil Stadium, on Saturday, November 25, 2017. East Central came from behind to win 14-7, securing their second state title in school history. I am proud of these young men for this remarkable achievement and for the sportsmanship they displayed throughout this exciting season. I want to commend Coach Justin Roden as well as all of the assistant coaches who led these young men to victory. Congrats, Trojans.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his work. Hoosiers get it. The recent reports of sexual assault and harassment in Congress are reprehensible. I applaud Representative Comstock for her hard work on this resolution. The House resolution today is an important step in the right direction. It mandates that everyone working in Congress has the proper antiharassment training. We must do more. The AP recently reported that the Federal Government has spent $17 million in taxpayer money settling harassment claims and other violations. It is astounding that tax dollars have been spent to protect Members of Congress and silence victims. It is not okay. That is why I am filing legislation to stop taxpayer dollars from being used in this way, to settle sexual harassment claims against Members of Congress. This legislation will empower victims by releasing them from nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from coming forward and telling their story. Let's pass today's resolution and then keep working to do more.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Brady for his leadership. Today is a huge victory for working Americans. Today, we take a giant step forward to deliver more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks for working Hoosiers. This bill will create thousands of jobs in Indiana, and it will give the typical working family a $1,500 tax cut. The Trump tax plan also includes a provision that I authored to stop $4 billion to $7 billion in refundable child tax credits paid out to illegal immigrants each year. These savings help expand the child tax credit for working American families by $600 per child. Hoosiers get it: no one should get a tax incentive to violate the law. I urge all of my colleagues to support this plan. It will give working Hoosiers a pay raise, bring back jobs from overseas, and get our economy moving again. I also urge the Senate to act and keep their promise to the American people.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Madam Speaker, Hoosier families deserve a pay raise, and that is what President Trump's tax plan is going to give them: more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks for working Hoosiers. Importantly, the plan includes a provision that I have been working on that would stop $4 billion to $7 billion in refundable tax credits paid out each year to illegal immigrants. This is a giant step in the right direction to protect American taxpayers and American families. In the Trump tax plan these savings will help increase child tax credits for American citizens by $600 each child. Hoosiers get it. It is past time to address an immigration system that rewards people who come here illegally. No one should get a tax incentive to violate the law.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for his hard work on this topic. Mr. Speaker, Hoosiers continue to suffer under the negative impacts of ObamaCare each and every day. Despite the House keeping its promise to repeal this disastrous law, the Senate has failed to act. But, fortunately, we have an opportunity today to make a difference, to protect our seniors, and to get rid of one of ObamaCare's worst provisions: the Independent Payment Advisory Board, better known as the IPAB. This board consists of 15 unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats who have the power to ration healthcare for our seniors without any congressional oversight. For an individual patient, this board has the power to make your healthcare decisions for you, and that is not fair. This bill will change that. It disbands the board and ensures our seniors continue to have access to their healthcare that they need. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to roll back this dangerous ObamaCare provision and to support this commonsense legislation.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Kentucky for his leadership and my colleague from Indiana for his leadership on this legislation as well. Mr. Speaker, from day one, President Trump's message to North Korea has been clear: the U.S. will not tolerate any North Korean actions that threaten American lives. Hoosiers appreciate President Trump's leadership and understand the crisis we face. North Korea is an erratic and brutal regime. We simply cannot accept a world in which North Korea has nuclear weapons that can reach American shores. Unfortunately, with each missile test, we are moving closer to that world becoming a reality. That is why I am proud to work with my colleague from Kentucky and other colleagues on the Otto Warmbier North Korean Nuclear Sanctions Act. With this bill, we will give foreign financial institutions a clear choice: you can either do business with Kim Jong-un in North Korea, or you can do business with the United States--but not both. By imposing the toughest financial sanctions ever on North Korea, this bill cuts off crucial resources that the regime relies on to finance its weapons program. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, help us meet the North Korean threat head-on, and do what is necessary to protect our country.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, every year, middle class seniors are forced to pay billions in taxes on their Social Security benefits. This tax is fundamentally not fair and penalizes folks who have paid into the system their entire lives. There is a better way. We should give these seniors a tax cut, let them keep more of their benefits, and create a better, fairer system for all Americans. In 1984, when Congress passed this tax on seniors, it was designed to only impact high-income seniors, about 14 percent. But the tax was never adjusted for inflation, and today, fully half of seniors are paying this onerous tax. In fact, there are over 280,000 Hoosiers making less than $75,000 per year who are subject to this tax. I introduced the Social Security Tax Fairness Act to give these seniors the tax break they deserve. This bill cuts taxes for seniors, single and married seniors, and ends the marriage penalty on Social Security benefits, too. Under this bill, a retired married couple with $70,000 in income will see $2,000 in tax cuts. It is time to deliver tax cuts for every American, and this legislation would ensure Hoosier seniors aren't left behind either.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge President Trump to decertify the disastrous Iran nuclear deal. There are reports that decertification may come as early as tomorrow, and I certainly hope so. The Iran nuclear deal was a giant mistake. It has been bad for America's national security, bad for our ally Israel's national security, and bad for the world. By decertifying the flawed Iran nuclear deal before October 15, the administration has a chance to send a strong message that the United States will not sit idly by while the Iranian threat continues to grow. The deal was premised on a naive notion that Iran would somehow evolve into a peaceful global partner, but that couldn't have been further from the truth. Make no mistake about it: Iran is not our friend, does not share our values, and should not have been trusted. For decades, Iran has called the United States the Great Satan, and their leadership continues to call for the total annihilation of our ally Israel. Iran remains the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world and is actively working towards obtaining a nuclear bomb. This much is clear: Iran has not upheld the spirit of this deal. Now is the time to reassert our authority on the world stage and hold Iran accountable. I look forward to working with President Trump to keep America, our allies, and the rest of the world safe from Iranian aggression.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend of mine, Dave Davis, who passed away recently. Dave was a giant Purdue fan, but we first met at a UCLA basketball game over 20 years ago. We immediately struck up a friendship, and in 2000, when I announced I was running for Congress, Dave was all in and, despite the long odds, took vacation time to drive me all around Madison County. We didn't win that one, but that is the kind of guy Dave Davis was. He put others first, sharing in your successes and your struggles as if they were his own. Dave had a great smile and a rare quality: he saw everyone for who they could be, not just what they were. Dave spent his career in public service for our State and our Nation, but his most important priority was his family. He never passed up an opportunity to talk about his wife, Robyn; or his kids, Alex, Amy, and Eric. Dave Davis was a good man and my friend. Congratulations on a life well lived. Godspeed.

Mr. MESSER

Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, we have an incredible opportunity to pass tax cuts for the American people. I appreciate President Trump's leadership on this issue as well as the leadership of Chairman Brady in working to pass the President's tax plan. While we are working on tax cuts, I rise today to urge the chairman and the Ways and Means Committee to also eliminate tax credits for illegal immigrants. Most Hoosiers get it: we can't continue to reward people who come to our country illegally while those who work hard and play by the rules struggle to get ahead. I have authored legislation to close the loophole that allows $7 billion in refundable child tax credits to be paid out to illegal immigrants every year. This money should be used to increase the child tax credit for law-abiding American families. President Trump included this proposal in his budget request to Congress, and I believe it should be included in the President's broader tax plan.