Stephanie Murphy

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the football team at the University of Central Florida located in my congressional district. The Knights finished the season ranked sixth in the Nation by the Associated Press. They had a perfect 13-0 record--the only team in college football to go undefeated. UCF won the American Athletic Conference championship with an exhilarating--and excruciating--double- overtime victory against a talented team from the University of Memphis. The Knights shook up the world of college football in the Peach Bowl on New Year's Day when they beat Auburn University, one of the most storied football programs in the country. I had a personal stake in the outcome of the Peach Bowl, having made a friendly bet on the game with Congressman Mike Rogers, whose Alabama district is home to Auburn. I am excited to collect my winnings from Congressman Rogers later today, a bucket of delicious Florida oranges that he will deliver to me while carrying a UCF helmet. I thank the football gods that UCF did not lose. Under the terms of the wager, I would have been compelled to blanket a tree on the Capitol grounds with toilet paper, pursuant to a time-honored and, frankly, bewildering Auburn tradition. I am grateful that the Knights saved Capitol Police from the trouble of having to arrest a Member of Congress for vandalism. Even though UCF was not given the opportunity to play for the national championship, the players and coaches of this team are national champions in my book. The Knights didn't just win games, they also won our hearts. They didn't just beat opponents, they also beat the odds. Sports--in particular, team sports--have a unique power to captivate, to unify, and to inspire. Under the strong and steady leadership of Head Coach Scott Frost, the Knights captivated the school's students and alumni, filling them with pride. They united our Central Florida University community from Orlando to Oviedo, from Apopka to Altamonte Springs, and they inspired countless people, young and old alike, both football experts and novices. Importantly, UCF the football team brought national attention to UCF the university, which has quietly become one of Florida's and our Nation's academic gems. To be sure, the Knights' squad was filled with talented players, seven of whom won first team all-conference honors, including rifle- armed quarterback McKenzie Milton, fleet-footed running back Adrian Killins, and one-handed defensive warrior Shaquem Griffin, who personifies courage and character. Many members of the team justifiably played with a chip on their shoulder, having been overlooked by more established college football programs coming out of high school. They had to earn respect through their actions. Ultimately, what made the Knights so special and so successful was not what they accomplished as individuals, but, rather, what they achieved together as a team. It was clear from watching the coaches and players that they loved and respected each other. The bond they shared made them teammates in the truest sense of the word. The team's motto, which is the name of the UCF fight song, is ``Charge on.'' It is a message whose power extends beyond the football field and applies to life itself. When you confront challenges, charge on. When others doubt your abilities, charge on. And when you think you can't work any harder, charge on. As a proud fan, I thank the UCF football team for showing us all what it means to charge on.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, when I think about America's future, I know that its success will be driven by the bright, technologically-savvy minds of our young people.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, in a nationwide competition, Rollins College achieved one of the highest student voter turnout rates in the 2016 Presidential election. I want to recognize the hardworking students and faculty at the Rollins Democracy Project for this accomplishment, which reflects the school's commitment to preparing the next generation of engaged citizens and global leaders. As Justice Brandeis once observed, the only title in our democracy superior to that of President is the title of citizen. Our democracy withers when our citizens are disengaged from and cynical about the political process. However, it is strongest when our citizens are engaged and informed. Our democracy works best when our citizens use their voice and their vote to hold elected leaders accountable. It thrives when our citizens understand that, while the right to vote is sacred, it is only powerful if it is exercised. Mr. Speaker, that is why what this school accomplished is so important and why I am so proud to represent Rollins College in Congress.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of one of my constituents, Greg Wood, who passed away on October 14, 2017, at the age of 70. In tribute to Greg, who served in the United States Marine Corps and was wounded in action during the Vietnam War, my office arranged for an American flag to be flown over the U.S. Capitol. I am so glad that our country raised the flag in Greg's honor, because Greg did so much to support and defend this country. Greg fought to protect the fundamental freedoms that our flag represents. This Saturday is Veterans Day, when our nation pauses to express gratitude to all those who honorably served, both living and departed. The day before, I will attend a ceremony at the Park Maitland School in Orlando, where we will formally present the flag to Greg's widow, Donna. Donna was kind enough to talk to my office about her late husband, about what mattered most to him, and about how he lived his life. Greg was many things--a Texan at heart despite spending most of his life in the Sunshine State; a well-educated man who earned a master's degree in finance; an adventure-seeker who once rode his motorcycle from the United States all the way down to Panama; a respected commercial real estate broker; a sports lover; a fisherman and a hunter; and a pillar of our central Florida community. But, as Donna made crystal clear, Greg was--above all--a U.S. Marine and a family man. These two roles defined him. They were the core of who he was. They gave his life purpose and meaning. In a speech that he delivered many years ago to members of the Marine Corps, President Ronald Reagan said: ``Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But the Marines don't have that problem.'' Greg volunteered to serve in the Marine Corps in March 1966, when he was only 18 years old. After basic training, Greg was sent to Vietnam, where he served as a forward observer--directing artillery fire onto enemy targets. Working as a forward observer, especially in Vietnam, was an exceptionally dangerous job. The Marines are famous for their bravery, discipline and toughness. Greg was a Marine's Marine--respected and even revered by his brothers in arms for his courage and commitment. Despite his youth, Greg was a natural leader of men. They followed him, and they trusted him. Some even thought he might be invincible, and did not want to go out on patrols unless Greg was going with them. Friendships forged in war are uniquely deep and intense. Greg lost many good friends in Vietnam--and, as Donna tells us, he carried these losses with him for the remainder of his life. On some days, the memories haunted Greg, and he struggled with feelings of sadness and guilt. Like any warrior who has seen his fellow warriors fall, Greg naturally asked himself: ``Why them and not me?'' Physically, as well as psychologically, Greg did not leave Vietnam unscathed. One fateful day, while out on a mission, he was shot and critically wounded--earning a Purple Heart. When Greg awoke hours later in a military hospital, a priest was administering his last rites. Although he survived, doctors told him he was unlikely to live past age 35. In a sense, then, Greg's entire life was one big case of beating the odds. After being honorably discharged from the Marines, Greg was determined to become successful professionally and personally--in part to honor his fallen comrades who never had the chance to build a career or a family of their own. As Donna told us, nearly everything that Greg did later in life was shaped by his formative experience in Vietnam, whether for better or for worse. One of Greg's daughters, Kristina, told me that her father loved war movies, but they always made him cry. It is clear that Greg had complex feelings about war itself, but that he cherished the American soldiers, sailors, airmen and--of course--Marines who fought these wars. It didn't matter whether they served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, or Iraq. He felt a sacred bond with all of them. In addition to his military family, of course, Greg treasured his own family--which includes Donna, four children, and eight grandchildren. By all accounts, he was a loving husband and father, who coached Little League, served as a Boy Scout leader, and did all the big things and little things that great dads do. So, I hope Greg has been reunited with the friends he lost in Vietnam. I hope he is happy and at peace. And I hope he knows how much his life mattered to his family and to the country he so nobly served.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Lester Mandell, who transformed countless communities in central Florida though his work as a builder and transformed countless lives through his generosity as a philanthropist. Lester passed away recently at the age of 96, leaving behind a large and loving family, but his legacy will live on. Born in a hardscrabble Brooklyn neighborhood, and a veteran of World War II, Lester did not graduate from college. However, neither his lack of formal education nor the anti-Semitism he frequently faced could stop Lester from achieving his professional goals, because they were no match for his talent, tenacity and toughness. Lester's life was a quintessentially American story of success earned though hard, disciplined, joyful work. As one of Lester's grandsons said about his grandfather: ``He believed that, if you did things the right way, you would get the right result.'' This is the essence of character. Lester was a master builder, in both the literal and figurative sense. The homes, neighborhoods, and public parks he developed throughout central Florida over the course of many decades are his most visible legacy. Lester also built bonds of a more intangible nature. He donated generously to many causes he cared about, from scholarships for inner- city children to support for the Jewish community he loved so much. Lester often donated anonymously and rarely spoke about his donations, even to his own family. As his grandson recounts, Lester was a serious man who did serious work, but he did not take himself too seriously. He had a sense of humor and light-heartedness that disarmed friend and stranger alike. Lester's greatest legacy, of course, is his family. He leaves behind his wife and partner for life, Sonia. They were married for 70 years. Sonia and Lester had four children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. I know they miss Lester. But I hope their loss is eased by the knowledge that Lester was a great man and, even more importantly, a good man.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2763, The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Improvements Act, which will modernize two programs that provide Federal funding to small technologically advanced firms to research and develop innovative products. I am proud to have cosponsored this legislation with Congressman Steve Knight, and I am encouraged that my colleagues on the Small Business Committee and the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee on both sides of the aisle support the bill. For decades, American innovation and ingenuity have bolstered our economic growth and solidified our country's status as a global leader in technology; and for more than 30 years, the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs have provided a critical source of funding to small businesses that engage in research and development. These initiatives were established to help spur innovation and job creation throughout the country. Since the inception of the programs, more than $40 billion has been awarded to small, innovative firms to address our Nation's most important research and development challenges. Because of the high-risk nature of their ventures, SBIR and STTR grantees receive R&D funding that might otherwise be unavailable in the private sector. As a direct result of the Federal investment in these programs, breakthroughs have been made in a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, defense, energy, and healthcare. In turn, these discoveries have generated tremendous economic growth and job opportunities across the country, including in central Florida. For many research companies in my district, these two programs serve as a gateway to the Federal contracting field. That is why I am honored to have cosponsored this bipartisan legislation. The final bill reflects bipartisan compromises and input from both committees of jurisdiction. Most importantly, it includes many provisions focused on developing innovative products that support important national priorities and that can be sold on the commercial market. To improve oversight of the program, the bill requires the Small Business Administration to submit an annual report to Congress no later than December 31 of each year. This will enable us to better account for the use of funds and to better assess the progress of SBIR and STTR initiatives at participating agencies. Another provision makes permanent the pilot program that establishes the Civilian Agency Commercialization Readiness program, which allows up to 10 percent of agency administrative dollars for sequential phase II awards to eligible businesses. Finally, the bill includes an amendment that I authored to require participating Federal agencies to take additional steps to educate small firms about the SBIR and STTR programs and to encourage more small firms to apply for funding. After more than a decade of fits and starts with these two programs, H.R. 2763 will make program improvements and provide much-needed certainty to small businesses seeking to commercialize. By authorizing the administrative fee to run these programs for an additional 5 years beyond its current authorization, Congress is taking proactive steps to give small firms the confidence they need to continue developing innovative products. I respectfully ask my colleagues to vote for this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the ranking member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney).

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko).

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers and I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, supporting our entrepreneurs and small businesses are a top priority for both sides of the aisle. Our bill will make it easier for small firms that receive SBIR and STTR awards to bring their products to market and achieve commercial success. The SBIR and STTR programs are also critical to our economy, as they support our Nation's job creators and ensure that our country continues to produce cutting-edge research and development. This ingenuity is what makes our country a global economic powerhouse. These programs, while successful, can be improved. The bill before us is a step in the right direction insofar as it will ensure that all Federal agencies are enhancing efforts to help more small businesses obtain SBIR and STTR funding and bring their innovative products to market. Therefore, I respectfully urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Lester Mandell, who transformed countless communities in central Florida though his work as a builder and transformed countless lives through his generosity as a philanthropist. Lester passed away recently at the age of 96, leaving behind a large and loving family, but his legacy will live on. Born in a hardscrabble Brooklyn neighborhood, and a veteran of World War II, Lester did not graduate from college. However, neither his lack of formal education nor the anti-Semitism he frequently faced could stop Lester from achieving his professional goals, because they were no match for his talent, tenacity and toughness. Lester's life was a quintessentially American story of success earned though hard, disciplined, joyful work. As one of Lester's grandsons said about his grandfather. ``He believed that, if you did things the right way, you would get the right result.'' This is the essence of character. Lester was a master builder, in both the literal and figurative sense The homes, neighborhoods, and public parks he developed throughout central Florida over the course of many decades are his most visible legacy. Lester also built bonds of a more intangible nature. He donated generously to many causes he cared about, from scholarships for inner- city children to support for the Jewish community he loved so much. Lester often donated anonymously and rarely spoke about his donations, even to his own family. As his grandson recounts, Lester was a serious man who did serious work, but he did not take himself too seriously. He had a sense of humor and light-heartedness that disarmed friend and stranger alike. Lester's greatest legacy, of course, is his family. He leaves behind his wife and partner for life, Sonia. They were married for 70 years. Sonia and Lester had four children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. I know they miss Lester. But I hope their loss is eased by the knowledge that Lester was a great man and, even more importantly, a good man.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, September is Suicide Prevention Month, and I rise to bring awareness to the pressing issue of veteran suicide. When our servicemembers go overseas, they bravely and selflessly risk their own lives for the greater good. But when they return home, our veterans face new adversities. Many are confronted by intense emotional distress, including depression and post-traumatic stress. Others struggle to readjust to civilian life or to reintegrate into their families and their social networks. Unfortunately, too many veterans succumb to their mental anguish. America loses 20 Americans every day to suicide. It is time we step up and be there for them and provide them the support they deserve. I encourage anyone who knows a veteran--whether a family member, a coworker, or a friend--to reach out. A simple gesture of kindness can make all the difference in the life of a veteran going through a difficult time. I will do my part in Congress, fighting for more and better resources to support our veterans. Veterans fought for us. Now it is time we fight for them.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my bipartisan amendment, which is cosponsored by Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon from Puerto Rico and Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez from New York. The American citizens in Puerto Rico and the neighboring U.S. Virgin Islands are enduring an incredibly difficult situation in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. As a Member whose central Florida district is home to over 100,000 individuals of Puerto Rican heritage, I join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have made crystal clear to our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that they will receive all the Federal support they need to stabilize the situation in the short term, to rebuild in the medium term, and to emerge stronger in the long term. We are part of one American family. And like any close-knit family, we always have each other's backs, especially when times are tough. My amendment will ensure that Puerto Rico and the other U.S. territories are treated equally under the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, which the underlying bill reauthorizes. The amendment will implement a recommendation made by the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Task Force on Economic Growth in Puerto Rico. This Federal program provides annual grants to States and territories to fund home visiting services for families with young children. Visits are conducted by social workers and other professionals. They provide parenting education and other support services with a goal of helping at-risk families succeed. It is a great program that invests in children and families, helps lift them out of poverty, and increases the chance that they will become productive and successful members of society. In theory, the program treats States and territories equally when it comes to the distribution of grant funding. In practice, however, Puerto Rico is treated unfairly. The Department of Health and Human Services makes allocations based, in part, on a U.S. Census Bureau data product on childhood poverty, but that data does not include information on Puerto Rico or the other territories. Therefore, Puerto Rico always receives the minimum grant allowed by the law, even though the island of 3.4 million has a high rate of childhood poverty. My amendment would simply require HHS, when making grants, to use the best Federal data available for every State and territory and to use an appropriate alternative data source, if necessary, in the case of Puerto Rico. This will ensure that Puerto Rico receives its fair share of funding and not one penny more and not one penny less. I hope my colleagues will support this amendment and that we will continue to do everything possible to help our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Chairman, in closing, I would simply reiterate my hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of DREAMers. When I was just a baby, my parents brought me to this country because they sought freedom, opportunity, and a better life for our family. As a parent now, I know how they must have felt because I, too, would do anything for my children, no matter the risk. That parental instinct to give our children better opportunities than we had is universal and powerful. DREAMers were brought to this country as children by families who sought a better life. They were just kids and had no role in the decision to leave their native country, and they have done nothing wrong. They demonstrate one of our Nation's most basic promises: the American Dream is available to anyone who is willing to work for it. The President's decision this week to end DACA will tear families apart. Worse yet, it punishes children who have done nothing to deserve punishment. It is immoral and wrong. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you bring the Dream Act to the floor so we can enact an enduring solution for the 800,000 aspiring Americans who would be hurt by the President's decision.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Intelligence Authorization Act. Good intelligence safeguards our Nation from adversaries. It is used to support our Armed Forces, our diplomats, and our homeland security professionals. The men and women of the U.S. intelligence community make enormous sacrifices on behalf of our country. While others seek the limelight, they shun publicity and self-promotion. They are silent warriors and quiet heroes. I want to highlight section 609 of this legislation. It is a version of a bill that I authored called the Prevention and Oversight of Intelligence Sharing with Enemies Act, or the POISE Act. I introduced the POISE Act in May after the President disclosed highly sensitive information to senior Russian officials during a White House meeting. This information had been entrusted to the U.S. by key allies. Under Federal law, the executive branch is required to inform the congressional intelligence committees of U.S. intelligence activities. The POISE Act would specify that the executive branch must notify the committees when a member of the executive branch, including the President, intentionally or inadvertently discloses top-secret information to adversary foreign government. It is dangerous for a U.S. official to share classified information with an adversary, especially outside of established intelligence channels. The adversary could use the information to harm the United States or its allies. Moreover, our partners might decide to stop sharing critical intelligence with us if they lose confidence in our capacity to keep it confidential. The congressional notification requirement in the POISE Act would help deter inappropriate disclosures of classified information to adversaries. Once formally notified of the disclosure, Congress would be in a position to take any appropriate oversight action. I am so pleased that the core of the POISE Act is contained in section 609. I want to thank Chairman Nunes and Ranking Member Schiff for including the provision in the bill, and I urge the bill's swift passage.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to honor the life and legacy of Billy Manes. Billy passed away last week, far too soon, at the age of 45. He is survived by his husband, Anthony, and an entire community that admired him. With Billy's passing, Orlando lost an icon, and our nation lost a committed, passionate, and fierce advocate for equality. In Billy's short time with us, he made an indelible impact on our city and our country. He was a prominent Orlando journalist and commentator, and the power of his words moved and amused central Florida. Billy broke barriers, becoming the first openly gay mayoral candidate in Orlando's history. After the tragic loss of his partner in 2012, Billy bravely told his story to the world, putting a human face on the pressing need for equal rights for same-sex couples. Last year, when our Orlando family was reeling from the Pulse nightclub shooting, Billy gave voice to our city's grief. He relentlessly focused on the 49 beautiful lives we lost that night. Like them, Billy will never be forgotten. If you ever had the privilege and the pleasure of meeting Billy, you couldn't escape his energy, his passion, and his endearing sense of humor. Mr. Speaker, it is critical this hallowed chamber carry on the work that Billy so valiantly championed. Though we have so much progress to celebrate, too many of the inequities that Billy's work spotlighted remain. May his memory inspire us to redouble our commitment to equality.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the House is currently considering the minibus, which would fund certain Federal agencies in the next fiscal year. As a former Pentagon aide, I have opposed efforts to politicize national security policymaking in Congress. That is why I introduced a bill to bar political operatives from serving on the National Security Council, and was proud when Steve Bannon was removed from the NSC. The minibus provides robust funding for the Defense Department, the same funding that I proudly voted to authorize as a member of the Armed Services Committee. Sadly, House leadership has taken a strong bipartisan bill and contaminated it by adding a provision assigning $1.6 billion to construct a border wall. This provision is opposed by public officials from both parties who actually live along the southwest border, and it will do nothing to keep my constituents in central Florida safe. The money could be better spent to expand an underfunded counterterrorism program that Orlando has been excluded from, or to enhance security at our air and seaports. In short, this funding should be used to give the American people real security, not politically motivated gimmicks.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2056, my bipartisan bill to improve the Small Business Administration's Microloan program. Small businesses are the backbone of our Nation's economy. In my home State of Florida, there are 2.4 million small businesses, which is 99.8 percent of all employers in the State. These businesses employ 3.2 million workers. In my central Florida district, we have a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, and they tell me the number one challenge they face is access to capital. As someone who counseled entrepreneurs and businesses in the private sector before I came to Congress, I know how difficult it can be to obtain the capital you need to start and grow a small business. That is why this bill to improve SBA's Microloan program is so important. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Chabot and Ranking Member Velazquez for helping to advance this bill through the Small Business Committee, where the bill received unanimous support. I also thank the Administrator of the SBA, Linda McMahon, and her senior staff for working with my office to make modest changes to the bill after it was introduced. These changes should better position the bill to move through Congress and then to be signed into law by the President. The Microloan program is one of several lending programs administered by the SBA. Its goal is to help small-dollar borrowers who want to start or grow their business. Under this program, the SBA makes loans to nonprofit organizations known as intermediaries. These intermediaries, in turn, make short-term loans up to $50,000 to small businesses and nonprofit childcare centers. Recipients of microloans use these funds to finance their operations and to acquire supplies and equipment. The Microloan program seeks, in particular, to assist small business owners with little or no credit history, women and minority businessowners, and aspiring and existing entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional bank loans or even for the larger loan guarantee programs that the SBA administers. In fiscal year 2016, intermediaries provided over $60 million in loans to small firms around the country, creating or retaining nearly 18,000 jobs in the process. While the loans may not be large, they can mean the difference between a small business starting up and succeeding or struggling and shuttering. Despite the relative success of the Microloan program, it must be modernized. My bill would improve the program in two respects. First, the bill would increase the total amount an intermediary can borrow from the SBA from $5 million to $6 million. This will allow intermediaries to make more small-dollar loans to more small businesses and entrepreneurs. Second, the bill would enable intermediaries to use a larger percentage of the technical assistance grants they receive from the SBA in order to help small business owners and entrepreneurs navigate the microloan applications process. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill, which will assist and empower more small businesses.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Chair, I thank my colleagues for including my amendment in this en bloc package. My amendment will authorize Procurement Technical Assistance Centers to assist small business owners in pursuing funding opportunities during all phases of the SBIR and STTR programs. These Federal programs enable small businesses to perform research and development that advances the national interests and has the potential for commercialization. My central Florida district is primed to benefit from these programs since it is home to a large and growing number of small firms that harness the power of technology, produce innovative products for customers in the public and private sector, and, in the process, create well-paying jobs and generate broad-based economic growth.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan amendment. It would strike section 541 of the bill, a provision that would make it nearly impossible for graduates of the military service academies to play professional football, basketball, or any other sport. I serve on the Board of Visitors at West Point, and I believe section 541 will be detrimental to recruitment and morale at the service academies, could undermine efforts to bridge the military-civilian divide through the use of sports ambassadors, and could compromise the effectiveness of our officer corps. If our amendment is successful, the policy governing the circumstances under which graduates can play professional sports will be the guidance issued by Secretary Mattis earlier this year. Pursuant to Secretary Mattis' guidance, an academy graduate must complete 2 years of active commissioned service before he or she can seek approval to pursue a professional sports opportunity. Section 541 goes far beyond this existing guidance, requiring a graduate to serve 5 years on Active Duty before pursuing a professional sports opportunity. This is the functional equivalent of prohibiting a graduate from playing professional sports altogether. Section 541 applies retroactively to current academy student athletes, not just prospectively to future athletes, which strikes me as unfair. Moreover, it removes the flexibility and discretion built into Secretary Mattis' guidance, replacing it with a one-size-fits-all policy that allows for no exceptions. Before Congress takes such drastic action, we should carefully weigh the arguments for and against such action. That process has not taken place. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment and to allow Secretary Mattis' guidance to remain in effect until such time as we can examine this issue more fully.

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida

Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today, I will become the first House Democrat in Congress to introduce a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. My bill will prohibit the Federal Government from spending more than it receives except in the case of war or recession. Democrats and Republicans may not always agree on the best way to balance the budget, but we all care about our country and our children, and both are at risk unless we rein in our unsustainable deficits and debt. In 45 of the last 50 years, the Federal Government spent more than it received. The Federal debt has ballooned to over $14 trillion. That is 77 percent of GDP, a figure that is expected to reach 150 percent in 30 years if we do not change course. Just as every family is expected to balance their budget, so, too, should the Federal Government. This is about taking responsibility and making tough decisions, exactly what our constituents elected us to do. A balanced budget amendment will compel Congress to walk the walk, not just talk the talk, when it comes to being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. I hope my colleagues on both sides of aisle will support this bill.