Ralph Norman

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a pro-life pregnancy center in my own district, the Palmetto Women's Center. The Palmetto Women's Center is focused on uniting hope, health, and healing to women as they bring a child into their family. The center provides women with pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, Biblical counseling, education from nurses, connections within the community for access to resources, and much, much more. For example, the center partners with the Rock Hill Salvation Army to ensure that soon-to-be mothers can have access to maternity clothing and baby supplies. The Palmetto Women's Center will be able to reach more women in my district as they begin operating in their new mobile unit. This will allow the staff of the center to travel throughout the district and provide women with the center's free services. Palmetto Women's Center is working to lower the number of abortions in South Carolina and supporting women as they choose life for their children. I applaud the work that pro-life pregnancy centers are doing, and I will continue to be an advocate for them and for life.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Reichert for his work on this. As Chairman Brady said, this is very important. I have a lot of manufacturers in my district who really can't get parts in this country and they depend on other countries, and it is vital that they remain competitive. So I thank Chairman Reichert for his work on this. I rise today to support the reauthorization of the Generalized System of Preferences program, or GSP. In 2016, job creators and producers in my State saved $16 million on $422 million worth of imports. In 2017, producers in my State saved $17 million on GSP imports through reduced tariffs. These savings translate directly to how much companies can reinvest in their businesses and their employees. GSP also provides the executive branch with effective enforcement strategies to make sure the United States is not being taken advantage of in trade deals. President John F. Kennedy once said: ``A rising tide lifts all boats.'' This is the opportunity before us today. We can support American prosperity while helping lift others out of poverty. I urge support of this bill, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 1153, the Mortgage Choice Act of 2017. This bipartisan legislation is essential to help low- and middle- income families gain access to qualified mortgages. I commend Chairman Hensarling and Congressman Huizenga for their work on shepherding this bill through the legislative process. Policymaking is complex, and Congress and Federal regulators do not always get it right. We need to sometimes make changes to address new issues and unintended consequences that arise. As we have seen for the past few years, the Dodd-Frank Act--and let me add that there are many of us in the real estate business and on bank boards who saw the effects of Dodd-Frank not allowing banks to go into the communities that need them the most--contains certain provisions that fit one or both of these categories and must be changed through legislative action. One of these policies is the CFPB's qualified mortgage, or QM, rule. The QM rule is intended to protect lenders from legal liability and provide compliance certainty for mortgage loans that are low risk and meet certain criteria. One of those criterion requires a mortgage loan's total points and fees not to be in excess of 3 percent of the loan's value. Unfortunately, the points and fees rule often depends on who is making the loan and how title insurance is obtained, which is confusing for both consumers and businesses providing these services. Also, as has been mentioned, insurance premiums held in escrow are considered points and fees under the QM rule, which is ridiculous. That is like saying that a parent who puts money in for a 529 savings plan for his children's education is a car payment or a mortgage payment. It doesn't make sense, but it discourages consumers from using this important financial management tool. H.R. 1153 would address these unintended consequences and provide clarity for borrowers and businesses. I am also confident that the CFPB, under the leadership of Mick Mulvaney, will ensure that this clarification is effectively implemented if this bill is enacted into law. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense fix so that we can get the policy right and address the unintended consequences arising from the future rule.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart. In the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 16, four law enforcement officers were ambushed while responding to a domestic call in York County, South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, Detective Mike Doty, who had been with the York County Sheriff's Office for 12 years, was slain in the line of duty. Today, Detective Doty will be laid to rest, and our hearts grieve and mourn at the loss of one of our bravest. Our hearts especially ache for all his loved ones: James, Katherine, Joshua, Patricia, Michelle, Christina, Diana, Shane, and his twin brother, Chris, who served with him. They will continue to remain in our prayers. In the Gospel of Matthew 5:4, we are told that God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. May we take solace in this verse and always remember that the Lord is with us. May God bless the family of Michael Doty.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, as a father of 4 and now 16 grandchildren, I strongly support the sanctity of human life, and I believe that life begins at conception. Madam Speaker, a person is a person, no matter how small. Whether a baby is still in the womb, if a child is born prematurely, or even if a child is born alive following an attempting abortion, they still have a life that is worth protecting. Therefore, I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 4712, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, sponsored by my good friend, Representative Marsha Blackburn. This bill will be do so much to protect our most vulnerable. I will continue to support legislation and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support my amendment to H.R. 3326, the World Bank Accountability Act. I also want to thank the chairman of the full committee and Andy Barr, who is the subcommittee chairman, for introducing this legislation and working with me on this amendment. The purpose of the underlying bill is simple: to ensure that the World Bank is effective in supporting projects abroad that work and actually reduce poverty. One aspect of the bill requires that the U.S. may withhold part of its funding from the World Bank unless the Treasury Department reports that the World Bank is emphasizing proven antipoverty solutions such as secure property rights, due process under the law, and economic freedom. My amendment would make a small and positive change to the bill which clarifies that the World Bank should also focus on reducing government barriers to entrepreneurship in addition to the other requirements. This simple modification is important for a couple of reasons: First, multiple studies have found that entrepreneurship is an essential part of reducing poverty abroad because it gives people the ability to use their skills and God-given talents to foster innovation and create jobs in their individual communities. Foreign governments often create barriers to entrepreneurship through excessive fees, burdensome licensing requirements, and lengthy permitting processes. Second, this modification is consistent with United States foreign policy, which, in part, is to promote market solutions to international poverty. This will ensure that individuals will have the capability to pull themselves out of poverty without excessive barriers put up by their government, ultimately improve the efficiency of United States development assistance and improve the economic situation in impoverished nations. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment. I appreciate the committee's willingness to work with me on this issue. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, Tuesday, January 2, 2018, is a great day for the mayor of Tega Cay, South Carolina. Let me read the proclamation: ``Whereas, serving as an elected official in local government requires sacrifice, passion, and dedication; and ``Whereas, as George C. Sheppard was elected as the mayor of the city of Tega Cay on November 10, 2009, after serving 2 years as the city's mayor pro tempore; and ``Whereas, Mayor Sheppard faithfully and dutifully served as the city's mayor for 8 years; and ``Whereas, during his two terms as mayor, the city of Tega Cay prospered and solidified its place in the region.'' Mayor Sheppard, Godspeed in your retirement, and thank you for your service to the great city of Tega Cay, South Carolina.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Hensarling for yielding. This really isn't that complicated. The JCPOA is a failed policy that was put up by a President who had no interest in protecting this country as it should be. President Trump is finally bringing this back to this country. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4324, the Strengthening Oversight of Iran's Access to Finance Act. This important legislation is critical to hold Iran accountable and ensure the integrity of U.S. sanctions against Iran. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Roger Williams for his great work on this legislation. The Iran deal allows the United States to license the sale of passenger aircraft to Iran to update their civilian commercial airliner fleet. Despite the deal, Iran's behavior has not changed, and they still remain a principal state sponsor of international terrorism, a direct contributor in propping up the Syrian regime, and a major facilitator of money laundering. However, enabling commercial aircraft sales could only fortify Iran's rogue behavior. Many, including the Department of Treasury, are concerned that commercial aircraft could be used for noncivilian purposes, considering the state-controlled airline, Iran Air, has facilitated Iran's destabilization of Syria by transporting missile and rocket components to the Syrian regime. Justice Louis Brandeis once stated that, ``Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants,'' and that is what this legislation seeks to do. It simply adds a crucial layer of reporting requirements, certifying that the sale of passenger aircraft does not pose a money laundering risk or violate U.S. sanctions. Iranian continues to threaten the stability of the Middle East, and it poses a threat to U.S. national interests. Holding Iran accountable and preventing them from continuing to destabilize Syria should not be controversial at all. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully urge all of my colleagues to strongly support this legislation.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, it gives me a great deal of pleasure to rise and note the celebration that we will be having not only for the birth of Christ for the month of December, but on December 10, this coming Sunday, I will celebrate the First Baptist Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina, under the leadership of Reverend Steve Hogg. Let me give you a little background on the church and on Reverend Hogg. Reverend Hogg was born on January 14, 1958, in Roxana, Kentucky. I think his birthday will signify his 60th in January. He married Monieca on March 27, 1982. They have two children, Steven and Jacqueline. The history of his service began in February of 1977 to November of 1977, where he was bus minister of the First Baptist Church in Whitesburg, Kentucky. From there he went to the Summer Missionary, First Baptist Church, from 1977 to 1980 and 1983. He was pastor of the Colson Baptist Mission from November of 1977 to March of 1984. He then went and served as pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church from March of 1984 to December of 1987, where he began his ministry in the First Baptist Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in December of 1987. Let me just give you a couple of milestones for the church. First Baptist Church relocated in April of 2004 to an 84,000 square-foot phase 1 facility on 52 acres of land near I-77. Let me tell you, as a developer, we were involved in that area, and there were no shopping centers when the church moved out there. There were no hotels when the church moved there. There were no gas stations where the church moved. They literally moved out in an area of town on faith that this area was going to be where the church wanted to grow, and grow it has. The church budget has increased from $490,000 to $2,637,000. They have had over 1,500 baptisms. They sponsored the first African-American congregation for membership in the York Baptist Association. They sponsored a second African-American congregation for membership in the York Baptist Association. Reverend Hogg has had a long and distinguished service to our State and country. He has served as president under the South Carolina Baptist Convention in 1993 to 1994. He served as the second vice president in 1992 to 1993. He has been chairman of the United Christian Baccalaureate Planning Committee. He has served on the executive committee of the Billy Graham Carolinas Crusade. He is a charter member of the city of Rock Hill No Room for Racism Board. He is the cofounder and State codirector of Changing South Carolina which led a movement to ban video poker. The activities of the church that he has started include many contemporary worship services, the intercessory prayer ministry, and a ministry for the deaf. He started the television broadcasts of morning services, and he has live-streaming of the worship services. He has conducted eight capital fund campaigns. I could go on and on. It has been such a pleasure seeing this church grow. I forgot to mention that when they decided to move to this new area of town, he didn't go with just a simple majority for the board of directors of the First Baptist Church. It had to be 80 percent or greater. How democratic is that? It has been said that to be successful, you must have three things. You must have a self worth living with, you must have a work worth living for, and you must have a faith worth living by. Reverend Hogg has demonstrated he has had a successful life, and he continues to have a successful life. Godspeed for the First Baptist Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, December is a special month. We celebrate the birth of Christ, but we are also celebrating a church in Rock Hill, South Carolina, that has done amazing things. It is a 30-year celebration for the First Baptist Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It is also celebrating a pastor that has stood the test of time. He has done amazing things at this church. Let me tell you what has occurred over the past 30 years. The church relocated in April 2004 to an 84,000-square-foot facility. It was 52 acres of land. Mr. Speaker, I can tell you, when the First Baptist Church made that move, the land out there was a forest. You didn't see the shopping centers, you didn't see the fast food, you didn't see the service stations and the clothing stores that are there now. They took a chance on faith. I remember when the board took that vote, it wasn't a simple majority. They had to have an 80 percent-plus in agreement of the board to locate there. If that is not democracy, I don't know what is. The budget was $490,000. It increased $2,637,800. They have had over 1,500 baptisms. They sponsored the first African-American congregation for membership in the York Baptist Association in 1994. They sponsored a second African-American congregation for membership in the York Baptist Association in 2017. Let me tell you about Pastor Hogg. Pastor Hogg was born on January 14, 1958. He was born in Roxana, Kentucky. He was baptized and ordained in the First Baptist Church of Whitesburg, Kentucky. He has been pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church. He has been pastor of the Colson Baptist Mission. He has been the summer missionary at the First Baptist Church. And he has been the bus minister at the First Baptist Church in Kentucky. Some of the honors and offices that he has devoted his time and talent to have been the South Carolina Baptist Convention, where he was president from 1993 to 1994. He was president of the Pastor's Conference. He was chairman of the United Christian Baccalaureate Planning Committee. He was on the Billy Graham Carolinas Crusade Executive Committee. He was a charter member of the city of Rock Hill No Room for Racism Committee. Some of the new things he has started while at First Baptist Church in Rock Hill were the contemporary worship service, deaf ministry, women and men's ministries, television broadcasts of morning worship services, live streaming of worship services, Sunbeams Day School, and conducted eight capital fund campaigns. Mr. Speaker, I could go on and on, but these 30 years are something to remember. It is something that ought to be a milestone for the church--and it is. If anybody has stood the test of time, it has been Steve Hogg and the First Baptist Church, and I commend the congregation. It is a great day for our State and it is a great day for America. God bless America.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of H.R. 1699. I spent 40 years of my career developing land and actually buying manufactured housing, which makes it possible for families who cannot afford a stick-built home, in many cases, to be able to buy a manufactured house. I have seen firsthand the critical role that manufactured housing plays in the development of local communities and the ability for a family to buy their first home. As we have seen far too often, regulatory overreach by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has impeded and stopped, in many cases, the ability for consumers to receive financing for manufactured housing, and has placed unnecessary requirements on retailers. This legislation addresses this overreach by making commonsense reforms to increase the availability and financing for manufactured housing, while maintaining important protections for consumers. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 2874, the 21st Century Flood Reform Act. This act is near and dear to my heart. That is how I make my livelihood. I am a real estate developer. We build houses. We build commercial projects. All that stops unless reform is made in the Flood Insurance Program. This bill proposes major reforms to one of the Federal Government's most broken programs, the National Flood Insurance Program. The Government Accountability Office has labeled the NFIP a high-risk program mainly because policyholders often pay premiums well below the actual risk of flooding on their properties. H.R. 2874 requires FEMA to conduct an annual actuarial review of the status of the NFIP that will allow FEMA to adjust rates appropriately and help maintain the program's financial stability. Currently, there are 4.92 million NFIP policies providing $1.23 trillion in coverage to Americans. Many of these properties are what this bill defines as multiple loss properties, where NFIP claims have been filed repeatedly. This bill requires FEMA to raise premiums on multiple loss properties by 15 percent annually if the premiums do not reflect the full risk. This is just another step toward FEMA improving the financial stability of the NFIP. Often, with the Federal Government, there are changes and agreements made behind closed doors with little or no public comment. H.R. 2874 requires FEMA to publish an explanation and to hold public hearings in regards to any changes to premiums on policies. This is an excellent example of making the government more transparent and helping policyholders more accountable. Lastly, the 21st Century Flood Reform Act requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on how we can simplify the NFIP. With our country being battered by hurricanes and heavy rainfall, we need to ensure that the NFIP is placed in sound financial footing for future generations. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this all-important legislation.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, as I listen to my liberal colleagues, the answer to every business is more government, more regulations. The American people are rejecting that. As a small-business owner, I can tell you the stifling effects of overregulation. That is what this bill takes away. That is what this bill accomplishes. So I strongly support H.R. 2201, the Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act. This bill is a critical step to reduce unnecessary burdens on economic growth and ensure that small businesses have access to the capital they need. I applaud Representative Emmer for championing this legislation. As a member of the House Small Business Committee and a businessman myself, I understand the need of the number of challenges faced by small businesses, especially if that business wants to grow through tapping into the capital markets. Due to onerous SEC regulations, the cost of registration is expensive and out of reach for so many of the businesses wanting to expand. We all know that the SEC provides an important function, which is to prevent securities fraud and protect the integrity of the market. However, we must be wary of a regulatory regime that fails to provide sufficient flexibility for businesses to raise capital while not providing any additional protection for investors. The central purpose of H.R. 2201 is to strike the proper balance between protection and investment. The bill achieves this objective through empowering businesses to sell a limited number of securities to a limited numbers of investors without needing to comply with a number of SEC registration requirements. Also, it is important to note that this narrowly tailored exemption only applies to investors that have substantive preexisting relationships with businesses. Finally, nothing in this bill undermines existing investor protections. Fraud is still illegal and the SEC and the Department of Justice has the authority to prosecute bad actors. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation to implement a commonsense solution and stimulate small business growth.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great American whom I had the privilege of meeting at the Library of Congress, Mr. Joseph Douek. Mr. Douek hails from a great family. His father came penniless to America some 70 years ago. He did what is now becoming a lost art in this country--he went to work. He went to work as a laborer and, eventually, worked his way up to where he owned a successful photography shop. He bought real estate, and he has now retired to a great retirement life, which he has earned. Joseph, his son, has dedicated himself to public service. He has been on the New York City Planning Commission for 5 years, and he was just reelected. He is an example of somebody who has given his time, his tithe, and his talent to serve in the great State of New York and our great country. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating what he has done and really encouraging other people to do what he has done in that he has gone to work. He has done what Americans do.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in adamant support of the rule and, in particular, of H.R. 3441, the Save Local Business Act. Let me say for my good friend from Massachusetts, you know, the amendments that he is referring to that have been rejected, they have been rejected because they are against small business and they are for Big Government, which American voters have rejected and will continue to reject. It may be cliche to say that small and local businesses are the backbone of our economy, but, at the end of the day, there is no denying that statement. Small businesses truly are the engine that keep our economy moving, and when they suffer, our whole economy suffers. Just take the last 8 years with the minimal growth that we have had. Since 2015, when the National Labor Relations Board adopted an expanded definition of the joint employers standard, upending decades of precedent and redefining who an employer is, there has been much confusion and ambiguity. For example, since then, there have been over 65,000 letters sent to Congress expressing confusion and asking for clarity in the aftermath of this rule. This is unacceptable. Locally owned franchises are America's unseen small businesses, and in my district alone, the Fifth District of South Carolina, there are roughly 2,000 establishments that provide over 15,000 jobs with an economic output of over $1 billion. Small business development, economic growth, and entrepreneurs will continue to be hurt by the National Labor Relations Board's excessive broad definition of the term ``joint employer.'' Until Congress finds a concrete solution with this piece of legislation, it will continue to do so. This bill, Mr. Speaker, provides clarity for small and local businesses as to what it means to be a joint employer, restoring necessary clarity for employers and employees alike. I strongly encourage all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bipartisan bill helping small businesses all across the Nation, and I congratulate the Congressman from Alabama for proposing this bill.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 3922. Listening to my Democratic friends, it was said right by Chairman Walden. It is cynical, and it is amazing that they could vote against this bill. Not only does this bill reauthorize public health programs vital to Americans who need them most, but it does so in a fiscally responsible manner. Reauthorizing CHIP for a 5-year period was an important priority of children's healthcare providers in my district, but doing so while saving billions is an impressive feat. On top of that, providing funding for community health centers will drastically improve rural health in South Carolina's Fifth District. This bill is proof that the American people can trust their government to provide essential services to citizens who cannot provide for themselves, without saddling our children and grandchildren with debt. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend my colleague, Chairman Walden, for his impressive efforts in striving toward a greater government.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2521, the South Carolina Peanut Parity Act of 2017. I am proud to join Representative Joe Wilson, who has been a real leader in the area, and the entire South Carolina delegation as a cosponsor of the South Carolina Peanut Parity Act of 2017, an important bill for South Carolina's peanut farmers. I also commend Harry Ott of the Farm Bureau who has been a great leader in this effort. Mr. Speaker, South Carolina has experienced explosive growth in peanut farming in recent years, going from producing very few peanuts in the early 2000s to becoming the fourth largest peanut-producing State today, led by Brent Cogdill from Sumter. This legislation will finally give South Carolina peanut farmers their much-deserved representation on the Peanut Standards Board. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation for South Carolina's peanut producers.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the fiscal year 2018 budget resolution, which is a critical first step to achieving comprehensive tax reform and making the American economy great again. I also applaud Chairwoman Diane Black for her leadership in producing this budget. Our Nation has not significantly reformed our Tax Code in more than three decades, which has allowed the Tax Code to explode in complexity and unnecessary burden on hardworking American families and businesses. Moreover, while the United States is a world leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, we have failed to reduce our corporate tax rate, which stands at 35 percent, the highest in the developed world. And I would add, corporations don't pay tax; the American people pay tax. The unified framework unveiled earlier this year will simplify the Tax Code for everyone, eliminate wasteful tax loopholes, and reduce taxes on businesses. I am also pleased to see that the plan eliminates the death tax on farmers and moves to full expensing. Under this plan, the average family will see an increase in income between $4,000 and $9,000, annually. While I believe this budget is necessary to spur economic growth and increase wages, I am extremely disappointed that the Senate removed the $203 billion of mandatory spending cuts, given the challenge the national debt poses to our great United States. However, we should not make the perfect the enemy of the good, and I understand that issues as complex as the budget and tax reform require compromise. I appreciate the leadership of Speaker Ryan, Chairman Brady, and the rest of the leadership team for their hard work on tax reform, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to moving tax reform over the finish line and to President Trump's desk.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, I rise today in overwhelming and adamant support of H.R. 469, the Sunshine for Regulations and Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act, which will strengthen Article I powers for Congress. Let me begin by briefly quoting Article I, Section 8 of our Constitution, the Necessary and Proper Clause: ``The Congress shall have the power . . . to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers . . . in the government,'' meaning, Congress must continue to respect and reinforce the idea of the separation of powers in our government, but, at the same time, Congress can ultimately decide when, whether, and how to legislate the powers and authority of another branch of government. Mr. Chairman, this piece of legislation will go a long way in fortifying the balance of powers and reestablishing Congress' authority set forth by James Madison and our Founding Fathers and Article I of the United States Constitution. Furthermore, we must be sure to use our constitutional authority to effectively guarantee and ensure that government is more efficient, transparent, and accountable to all American citizens of our great Nation, and this bill will do just that. It is time for Congress to establish procedures for honest regulations, transparency within the Treasury Department, and judicial intervention in unconstitutional court cases. Mr. Chairman, again, I rise in full support of H.R. 469, and I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both Chambers to make sure this is a government not only of the people, but for the people.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the Republican Study Committee's three promises in 3 months' pledge to repeal ObamaCare, secure the border, and enable comprehensive tax reform. I applaud RSC's Chairman Mike Walker for his leadership on this and on this initiative. On the promises to repeal and secure, the House has begun to deliver by passing the American Health Care Act and providing $1.6 billion in border wall funding. Tonight, I want to focus on the third promise: passing comprehensive tax reform. Our Nation's Tax Code affects every family, business, and worker and is a key driver behind America's economic competitiveness. Congress has not passed comprehensive tax reform since 1986. That is 31 years. The average cost of a new house then in the United States was $89,430. For a new Ford F-150 pickup truck, the average price was $8,350. Mr. Speaker, it has been way too long before we have taken comprehensive tax reform into consideration. Since then, the number of pages in the IRS code has increased by nearly 50,000 pages. The corporate tax rate is at 35 percent, which is the highest in the industrialized world. Ireland's, to give you an example, is 12 percent. This is inexcusable. Congress took an important step forward last week through passing a budget resolution, and now it is time for the Senate to do their job on the budget so that we can deliver comprehensive tax reform for the American people. Mr. Speaker, our tax reform plan is both profamily, and proworker. The typical American family will receive a $4,000 pay raise under our plan and will turbocharge the economy through enabling gross domestic product growth to reach 3.2 percent minimum for the next 5 years. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with the House leadership, Chairman Brady, and all of the congressional Members to pass this fair and simple tax reform package to make this country as great as it can be.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2105, the National Institute of Standards and Technology Small Business Cybersecurity Act. This bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to issue guidance for small businesses to use voluntarily to assist them in identifying and assessing, managing, and reducing the cybersecurity risk. As has been said, small businesses in the U.S. account for 54 percent of sales and 55 percent of U.S. jobs. However, a 2016 Symantec Internet Security Threat Report indicated that businesses with less than 250 employees are facing increased cybersecurity threats, up from 18 percent in 2011 to 43 percent in 2015. Mr. Speaker, I recently passed our real estate small business to my son Warren, so I understand the importance of equipping small businesses with the tools that will enable them to meet the emerging challenges. I urge passage of H.R. 2105, which will help prepare small businesses in the future, and I urge my colleagues to pass it.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the proposed budget resolution, which will provide the spending cuts that Washington needs and give a pathway to reconciliation for tax reform. Our national debt sits at an astronomical $20 trillion and is projected to reach close to $30 trillion within 10 years. Washington's out-of-control spending hinders our economy, Mr. Chair, and by kicking the can down the road, it puts the financial burden on the backs of our children and of our grandchildren. Not only is our debt unsustainable, but high levels of government debt needs substantial resources, and taxpayers' dollars must go to servicing our debt. Over the next decade, the cost to service our debt will rise 219 percent, meaning we will spend close to $800 billion by the year 2027 simply to pay the interest on our debt. This budget reduces spending by $5.4 trillion over a 10-year window. It does not expand the size of Federal Government. It does not encroach on State or local authority. This is a conservative path forward and will help us accomplish what we came here to do: meaningful tax reform. While I would like to see our government make even more wise choices with taxpayers' dollars, this budget resolution puts us on the road to achieving that goal. With this resolution as a vehicle for updating our outdated Tax Code, Mr. Chair, I truly believe we can accomplish something that has not been done in over 30 years. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this budget resolution.

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to this proposed amendment to the budget resolution. I think it is very important, when discussing spending such as suggested before us, to remember that we do not live in a fantasy world. We live in a world where resources are limited. We have to make difficult choices. These are the same choices every family makes with their budget every day of the year. Currently, our national debt rests at over $20 trillion. The entire U.S. GDP in 2016 was only $18.57 trillion. Should we continue to spend money that we don't have without restraint? This proposal never balances. It does raise taxes, though. With the tax increases in this proposal totaling $3.9 trillion, one would expect this budget to balance. What this does do is add over $1 trillion in new spending. What is another trillion when you are only $20 trillion in debt? I challenge the supporters of this proposed budget to research the potentially catastrophic impacts of defaulting on our national debt. We are saddling future generations with an unsurmountable burden. When our grandchildren and children look back on what we have done here, do we want this work to be that we left our country broke? I don't think so. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to not kick the can down the road and to not pass this proposed amendment.

Mr. NORMAN

Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my colleague from Arizona's bill, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, as well as the rights of the unborn. As a father of 4 children and a grandfather to 15 grandchildren, I strongly believe that life begins at conception. I wholeheartedly feel that nothing is more precious or beautiful than a life. I will do everything in my power to continue to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. Since the passage of Roe v. Wade in 1973, nearly 60 million abortions have been performed. Mr. Speaker, this is a moral atrocity. I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 36, which would make it illegal to attempt or to perform an abortion if an unborn child is 20 weeks or older with exceptions. Science has proven that babies are capable of feeling pain at the start of the third trimester. It is imperative that we protect the lives of the unborn. Our Nation was built upon the idea of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We guarantee that every American citizen has a right to pursue absolute happiness. Our Constitution guarantees that every American has the right to liberty and justice. Should we, as Americans, not guarantee that every American has a right to life as well? Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill and the protection of the sanctity of life for all Americans.