John Moolenaar

Mr. MOOLENAAR

Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ralph Wirtz in recognition of his many contributions to Michigan's 4th District as the editor of the Midland Daily News. Ralph Wirtz dedicated over forty years of his life to the Midland Daily News starting as a sports writer and, because of his outstanding journalistic abilities, accepted increased responsibility until his appointment as managing editor in 1989. Ralph did not originally plan on a career in journalism but discovered a passion for sports writing while serving in the United States Navy in the 1970's. He has won numerous awards over the course of his career, including Agriculture Communicator of the Year in 1998, first place in editorial writing by the Associated Press in 2008, the 2008 Journalist of the Year award by the Press Association Society of America and the Midland Community Voices Rosemary Byers Award in 2009. Ralph has been the person that the community has turned to whenever they needed a trusted voice for their news and information. Ralph Wirtz has set the standard for journalistic excellence in Michigan and his tireless work on behalf of his community is worthy of recognition from this Congress. On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Michigan, I am honored today to recognize Ralph Wirtz in gratitude for his forty years of service to the Midland Daily News and the Midland Community.

Mr. MOOLENAAR

Mr. MOOLENAAR. I thank the chairman for his kind words and for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I am excited to say that, for the first time in many years, the House and Senate will adopt a unified resolution for a balanced budget. The 2016 Federal budget resolution will set the guardrails for Federal spending, and it is a step in the right direction for our country. Families in my home State of Michigan and across the country tighten their belts when there is a change in household income or expenses, and Washington needs to do the same. The 2016 budget resolution does not raise taxes on hard-working Americans. It keeps the promises that have been made to seniors while slowing the soaring national debt. Leaving less debt to our children is vital, and if we fail to act, debt payments will crowd out spending for the priorities of the American people, including national security and protecting the Great Lakes. This budget provides for flexibility, and it gives States the opportunity to innovate on Medicaid policy, allowing them to design a safety net that works best for those in need. This will move Medicaid further away from Washington bureaucrats and closer to the people it was meant to serve. This budget also calls for tax reform, which has the potential to add 1 million new private sector jobs. The Tax Code is over 74,000 pages long and was last overhauled 29 years ago. It is time for a pro-growth Tax Code that is simpler and fairer. This budget addresses our country's fiscal problems in a responsible way, and it puts our Nation on a brighter path for our children and grandchildren.

Mr. MOOLENAAR

Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 150th anniversary of the tragic day an assassin's bullet took President Abraham Lincoln's life. There is no greater challenge than leading a nation through an armed conflict against itself, one that divides families and longtime friends. When responding to criticism of his efforts to save the Union, President Lincoln said, ``If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, 10 angels swearing I was right would make no difference.'' History has vindicated President Lincoln, and now, as War Secretary Edwin Stanton said, he ``belongs to the ages.'' Through solemn, humble, and steadfast leadership, he guided our Nation through the crisis--the horrific period of conflict between Fort Sumter and Appomattox. Sustained by faith, he stood on principle to preserve our country, to correct a nation's moral failing, and to lead a government of, by, and for the people ever closer toward a more perfect Union. President Lincoln gave his life--his last full measure of devotion-- for our country, and he will forever be remembered for his heroic work to preserve our United States of America.

Mr. MOOLENAAR

Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Chairman, the Federal Government has a spending problem. Last week, the Government Accountability Office released a report estimating that the government made $124 billion in improper payments during 2014. Wasteful spending like this is one of the reasons the national debt has skyrocketed to $18 trillion today. Divided among 320 million Americans, a child born today inherits $56,250 in debt--or $225,000 for a family of four. Americans work too hard to have the government waste their tax dollars. It is time to start our country on a new course. This Republican budget puts America on a more sustainable and responsible fiscal path. In my district, there are over 130,000 Medicare-eligible residents and over 169,000 Social Security recipients. This budget keeps the promises that have been made to our seniors and to those near retirement age by stabilizing the Social Security trust fund. It also grants flexibility to the States on Medicaid, allowing them to craft their own programs to serve the needs of their States and their local communities. This budget also enhances our national security. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, said our debt is ``the single biggest threat to our national security.'' Over 20 percent of it is held by foreign governments. By balancing within 10 years, this budget ends deficits and slows the amount that will have to be paid to other countries. With less spending needed for debt payments, more future funding can go to our national security. This is a budget for solving problems and creating a better future. This budget addresses our country's fiscal problems in a responsible way, without raising taxes, and puts our Nation on a brighter path for our children and grandchildren.

Mr. MOOLENAAR

Mr. MOOLENAAR. Thank you very much. I want to thank my colleague from Indiana for his leadership organizing this presentation today. Mr. Speaker, as it is clear from the charts and the discussion we have already had today, Washington has a spending problem. In January, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the Federal Government would collect $3.4 trillion in revenue in fiscal year 2016. The week after that, the Obama administration released a $4 trillion spending plan that raises taxes and never balances, a refusal to live within the government's means. Out-of-control Federal spending has exploded the national debt. In 2014, revenue to the Federal Government was 49 percent higher than in 2000. Yet, spending for 2014 was 95 percent higher than 2000. As part of the economy, the debt is at its highest point since the 1950s. Much of the problem is spending required by unsustainable government programs. This spending has increased dramatically and crowded out funding for national security and other priorities. Mandatory spending alone in 2014 cost $2.3 trillion, more than was spent funding the entire government in 2004. As a member of the House Budget Committee, I have worked with our colleagues to craft a budget that addresses our country's fiscal challenges. The House Republican budget balances within 10 years and does not raise taxes. It reforms unsustainable government programs while keeping the promises that have been made to our seniors. It grants flexibility to the States on Medicaid, allowing them to craft their own health care programs for those in need. This change brings Medicaid closer to the American people it was meant to serve. I hope that Members of both parties, in both the Senate and the House, will be able to come together and address the budget in a responsible way, without raising taxes on hardworking families who have seen their wages stagnate during this historically slow economic recovery. The House Republican budget puts our country on a path toward a more stable and responsible fiscal future.

Mr. MOOLENAAR

Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education is necessary to prepare today's students for future job opportunities. H.R. 1020 will add computer science under the definition of STEM programs while providing STEM grants for the research of new, informal, out-of-school methods for teaching STEM subjects. Whether it is a hands-on museum, a science competition, or an internship as a lab assistant, finding the best ways to teach these critical subjects outside of the classroom will help students who might not learn these subjects in a traditional setting. As our Nation's employers look to fill good-paying jobs, STEM education has applications across the board, including skilled trades in construction, manufacturing, and welding. Every student who learns these skills will have the solid academic background to secure employment in a career field. This important legislation will benefit bright young minds outside of the classroom and help our country remain the world leader in research and innovation. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. MOOLENAAR

Mr. MOOLENAAR. Madam Speaker, it is time to build the Keystone pipeline. Building Keystone will create jobs, expand economic opportunity, and provide our country with energy from a reliable trading partner. It is estimated that the pipeline will carry more than 30 million gallons of oil per day, and the State Department has concluded the pipeline is the safest way to transport it to market. Keystone will support job creation by moving oil to American refineries where American workers will process it. Thousands of products using refined oil are manufactured and purchased by Americans every day, and this pipeline has the potential to make those products less expensive. The House has passed Keystone policy time and again. Ten times, in fact, the House has stood with American workers and consumers. Today, we stand with hardworking Americans looking for good-paying jobs. Today, we stand with American consumers who will see more of their hard-earned money go further at the gas pump. Keystone helps secure our country's energy independence, lowers energy costs for every American, and supports jobs without raising taxes or adding to our debt. It is time to pass this bill. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. MOOLENAAR

Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, this is my first speech on the House floor, and today I am here speaking because we are voting to repeal the unpopular and unaffordable Affordable Care Act. Our Nation has over $18 trillion in debt, and this law adds to it by spending more money we don't have. The cost of coverage subsidies alone is expected to quadruple over the next 10 years, according to the CBO. The Federal Government is picking up the tab for Medicaid expansion, and it will eventually pass the enormous financial burden on to State budgets. In the last decade alone, Michigan has gone from one in eight residents enrolled in Medicaid to approaching one in four enrolled in this unsustainable government program. What is more, this law has the effect of throwing a wet blanket on the economy. Small business owners say rising health insurance costs are their biggest concern, and the health insurance tax costs them $688 per employee. School districts have cut the hours of part-time employees, and businesses can't afford to hire more employees because of the costs of mandated coverage. We have even seen colleges and universities cut back hours for student workers, and now they earn less money to pay for their classes. Individuals, families, and businesses all face continuing uncertainty over health care coverage and its costs. The administration, alone, has made 28 changes to the law, including delaying mandates, changing verification requirements, pushing back enrollment dates because the Web site wasn't ready, and expanding waivers to deal with the cancelation of millions of health care plans. Five years after it was signed, the President's health care law is still changing, and last November the Department of Health and Human Services proposed 35 more revisions. It is time to permanently repeal the excessive spending, the economic pain, and the continuing uncertainty caused by this law and replace it with patient-centered alternatives with lower premiums that allow individuals to choose the coverage they want. It is time to empower patients to take control of their health care choices.

Mr. MOOLENAAR

Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Michigan State Senator Judy Emmons in recognition of her leadership in combating human trafficking. This week in Congress, we have taken steps to fight the scourge of human trafficking in our country and around the world. In my home state, we are continuing to work on this critical issue, and one state legislator in particular has been at the forefront of this effort. In Michigan, State Senator Judy Emmons has led the fight against human trafficking. Through her work, Michigan instituted new laws that fight this heinous crime. These laws, including life imprisonment for perpetrators, send a clear message that Michigan will not tolerate human trafficking. Further, Senator Emmons' legislative work and activism has made Michigan a national leader in understanding the plight of victims, and is providing them with the resources they need to recover. Because of Senator Emmons' efforts, victims of this crime will find safe refuge in Michigan, and be able to make a complete recovery. State Senator Judy Emmons has done outstanding work to help combat human trafficking and is worthy of recognition from this Congress. On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Michigan, I am honored today to recognize Michigan State Senator Judy Emmons in gratitude for her strong conviction to prosecute traffickers, rescue victims, and assist survivors.

Mr. MOOLENAAR

Mr. MOOLENAAR. ``Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the States present the seventeenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven and of the independence of the United States of America the twelfth in witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names.''