Ted Poe

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last year, Iran's net exports of petroleum dropped to their lowest level since 1990. Its GDP has dropped for the first time in 20 years. The Iranians are feeling the pain of sanctions. Now the Iranians say that they will negotiate if the sanctions are reduced. Reducing sanctions without verifying that Tehran is abandoning, not just freezing, its nuclear weapons program is misguided and reckless. The U.S. is moving toward an appeasement deal with Iran, and Iran is giving up nothing. Last Thursday, I met with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel, who called this deal to reduce sanctions with Iran a ``bad deal, a very bad deal.'' The French Foreign Minister called the so-called deal a ``fool's game.'' Iran will not negotiate in good faith, and the U.S. is being played. Meanwhile, Iran stalls, delays, and lies about its quest for nukes. We must be clear to Iran that they must totally abandon their nukes or their sanctions are here to stay. No deal, Mr. Rouhani. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I appreciate those comments. It is true, Congressman Green, you and I, our careers have mirrored. We spent time at the courthouse together, you as a defense lawyer, me as a prosecutor. We became judges at about the same time. We got elected to Congress at the same time. We have known each other now almost 40 years, and I want to thank you for all that time you have been serving the community of Texas. And our districts match each other in the Houston area. We share the same common boundary. I also think it is appropriate that we are wearing purple ties. If I remember correctly, if you take red and you take blue and you mix them together, you get purple. How appropriate because this is a bipartisan endeavor where we are trying to show the horrors of domestic violence nationwide. It is not a Democrat issue; it is not a Republican. It is an American issue. And I guess it is a purple issue, if we can use that phrase. As you have mentioned, spending time at the courthouse, I saw a lot of these types of cases, and we have come a long way. And, yes, it is true, I remember the days when domestic violence, when some spouse would beat up another spouse, no matter how bad the injuries, unless it was death, many times the police would say, This is a family problem. It is not a criminal problem; it is not a public problem. It is a family problem. They have to deal with it. Because of that, many women, primarily, were rejected from prosecuting their spouse when they beat them up. As Congressman Green mentioned, the days of spouse filing charges and then being pressured by sometimes the batterer or family members to drop the charges, and then charges would be dropped. I found that frustrating as a prosecutor, and you found it frustrating when you were trying to help those women get those cases filed. We finally did something in Texas that made a whole lot of sense. We took the spouse, the victim, out of the prosecution process. So it was the State of Texas versus the guy, and the spouse really had no control over the prosecution. The spouse certainly couldn't drop the charges. It took it off of her burden, and made those people who wanted the case dropped to deal with the State rather than the victim. That was a good thing because then those people started getting prosecuted. Jim Costa, a Democrat from California, he and I started the Victims' Rights Caucus when I came to Congress. It is a bipartisan caucus, a purple caucus, of both sides that advocate on the part of victims with about 85, 90 members. One of the things that we are very concerned about, of course, is spouses that are victims of crime. I say that because when somebody beats up someone in the family, it is not the fault of the victim; it is the fault of the person that does the assaulting. The victim is not to blame. We have to get it through to our culture--and I think we are gradually doing that--to understand it is not the victim's fault. It is the person who commits the crime, commits the assault. The most influential person in my life was my grandmother. God bless her. She lived to 99 years of age. She told me a lot of things and was very wise. You would be glad to know, Congressman Green, she was an old- fashioned Texas Yellow Dog Democrat. She never forgave me for being a Republican. Anyway, we got past that. She said that you never hurt somebody you claim you love. That was a true statement when she told me, and it is still a true statement. You never hurt somebody you claim you love, especially in the family situation. That is something that we need to live by and hold people accountable when they violate that important rule of life. You mentioned the Violence Against Women Act. That is a good piece of legislation. I supported that for the reasons you mentioned, but also it does something else. It helps the immigrant community. Too often we find in Houston, where we have a lot of immigrants from all over the world, that someone that is in the United States, if they are assaulted by someone else that is in the United States, both undocumented, the batterer tells the victim, If you call the police, I am going to send you back to where you came from. He can't do that, but she thinks he can do that, so she doesn't call the police, and this guy gets away with hurting her. Plus, she continues to be victimized. We changed that law because of VAWA. They can come forward. They can get a special visa. They can testify. This person can get prosecuted as they should. It is a good piece of legislation, and we certainly should be enforcing the rules under the VAWA law. People that I have come in contact with over the years have impacted me. Of course, many of those have been victims of crime, many of those victims of domestic violence. One that I met after I came here to Congress was a wonderful lady that lives real close to us. She lives over in Maryland, Yvette Cade. She has made her story public, so I will use her name. Yvette Cade was estranged from her husband. Her husband was under a protective order to leave her alone. She didn't have a lawyer. She didn't have someone like you, Mr. Green, representing her. She had to represent herself. When the protective order came to be renewed, she represented herself in the courtroom, and the judge denied the protective order. It was withdrawn. Soon after the judge made that horrible decision, the estranged husband found her over at the video store where she worked supporting herself. He walked in carrying a jar of gasoline, and he poured it over Yvette Cade, and he set her on fire, that wonderful, precious lady. It is all on videotape from the store. I don't know how she did it, but she survived. A passerby saw what happened. He helped her. He put the fire out. She has had numerous surgeries, and she is alive. Today, she advocates on behalf of victims who are abused in the family. She is quite a remarkable person, and she is a victim of crime. Our culture needs to treat these people in a special way, whether it is to prosecute the criminal or to take care of them when their physical and mental needs need to be met. We are doing a better job of that. This month, we recognize those wonderful people who have been abused. We still have the problem of convincing them that the crime is not their fault. They are embarrassed so often. As I told victims of crime as a prosecutor and even as a judge: You don't need to be embarrassed for what happened to you. The person who did it needs to be embarrassed. It was part of our responsibility, I think, in the criminal justice system to make sure that happened. I won't go into all those types of cases that you are familiar with in unique sentencing, Mr. Green, but we made sure that the criminal knew that he was to blame and the victim was not to blame for that conduct. After hearing 25,000 felony cases at the courthouse--and, Congressman Green, I am not going to relate all 25,000 of them, but I would like to mention another one. When we think of domestic violence, we need to remember not only the spouse, but we need to think about the children that are involved, too, because many times they are the victims of domestic violence. There was a young girl who was a second-grader, and, like a lot of kids today, she rode the bus back and forth to elementary school. I will call her ``June.'' One afternoon, she is riding the schoolbus home, and she wouldn't get off the bus. She just sat there, and she was literally gripping that bar that is on the seat in front of you. Finally, the schoolbus driver came back and tried to talk to her and asked her, Why won't you get off the bus? This is your home. This is where you live. June replied, I don't want to get off, because I am only safe when I am on the bus going to school, at school, and when I am on the bus going home. Bad things happen when I get off the bus. You see, she went back into a situation where she was constantly battered by the ``live-in boyfriend'' is what I am going to call him. Because of the bus driver and doing what she did, they called the police and an investigation took place. That person was prosecuted; but, more importantly, June is safe and her mother is safe. We need to understand that victims of domestic violence live, many times, quiet lives of desperation and fear. It is our responsibility as Congress to eliminate that the best we can, to provide services for victims, to let them understand that crime is not their fault, that it is the fault of the perpetrator. On the other end, we need to make sure those perpetrators get the justice that they deserve at the courthouse and they are held accountable for those actions that they commit against someone in their family. Mr. Speaker, Grandma was right. You never hurt somebody you claim you love.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, is the administration aware of the actions that are taking place in the administration? A little history: Fast and Furious: Everyone knows the President did not know about this tactic until he heard about it through the news media. A quote from White House Press Secretary Jay Carney. So lower level operatives blamed. No accountability. Benghazi: 5 days after the attack, the administration still blamed it on a video. We learned later that the White House was told that this was a terrorist attack within 3 days of the attack. So when did the President find out this was a terrorist attack? In any event, no accountability. Video blamed. No one in the administration was held accountable, and the killers have not been brought to justice. The Department of Justice's wiretapping of the Associated Press: Other than press reports, we have no knowledge of any attempt by the Justice Department to seek phone records of the Associated Press. Once again, this was from White House Press Secretary Jay Carney. Lower level operatives blamed. No accountability. The IRS scandal: The investigation was not a matter that should be conveyed to the President. That was Jay Carney once again. Lower level operatives blamed. No accountability. ObamaCare Web site disaster: Secretary Sebelius claims the President was not aware of the Web site problems until the Web site was launched. Once again, lower level operatives blamed. No accountability. NSA spying on foreign leaders? U.S. officials claimed the President did not know about this. The President refuses to say whether he knew or not. But anyway, lower level operatives officially blamed. NSA spying on Americans: The President claims he did not know the extent of the spying on Americans. Lower level operatives blamed. No accountability. Mr. Speaker, exactly who is running the country--lower level operatives? Has the government gone wild? Is there a shadow government operating without the knowledge of the White House? Is the President out of tune with what is taking place in his own administration or is he aware of those actions? If the President were unaware of all of this, the White House needs to hold people accountable, to hold these lower level operatives accountable for their actions--their improper actions, their bungling, their incompetence. The White House needs to fix this out-of-control government immediately. The White House needs to take responsibility for the actions of his administration and quit blaming others and lower level operatives. That is the White House's responsibility. After all, to quote the constitutional law professor, ``The buck stops with me.'' And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the most important person in my life, my grandmother, always told me that you never hurt somebody you claim you love. This simple, but powerful, statement is one to reflect on this month, October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. When I came to Congress, I met a remarkable woman named Yvette Cade from Maryland who was the victim of horrible domestic abuse. After being denied a protective order by a judge, Yvette's estranged husband came into her place of employment, poured gasoline on her, and set her on fire. This incident changed her life forever but does not hold her back, and now she advocates for other domestic abuse victims. Domestic violence affects all races, religions, and economic groups. I am working along with my friend from California, Jim Costa of the Victims' Rights Caucus, to make sure that Congress deals with this issue not just in October but every month of the year. Domestic violence is never the fault of the victim. It is the fault of the perpetrator. Mr. Speaker, you never hurt somebody you claim you love. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker: The administration puts forward a false choice between the liberties we cherish and the security we provide. No more illegal wiretapping of citizens, no more ignoring the law when it is convenient--that is not who we are. That is not what is necessary to defeat the terrorists. We will again set an example for the world that the law is not subject to the whims of stubborn rulers and that justice is not arbitrary. This administration acts like violating civil liberties is the way to enhance our own security. It is not. Mr. Speaker, those were the words of Senator Barack Obama in 2007. That was then. This is now. The NSA, the National Spy Agency, as I call it, is continuing its stealth intrusion into the lives of not only Americans but of foreign leaders as well, whom Senator Obama once talked about. The NSA has been caught eavesdropping on the Germans, the French, and now new reports say 60 million phone calls in Spain were monitored by the NSA. A bit more history about the NSA and its spying: The Department of Justice stealthily seized information from 20 different Associated Press phone lines, including some in the U.S. Capitol--right up there. The Department of Justice stealthily seized phone records of Fox News reporter James Rosen, of his parents and of several Fox News phone lines. In the month of January of 2013 alone, 125 billion phone calls were monitored worldwide, and at least 3 billion of them were phone calls in America. The NSA stealthily seized from Verizon Business Network Services millions of telephone records, including the locations, numbers and times of domestic calls. A secret government program called PRISM allowed the NSA to search photos, emails and documents from computers at Apple, Google and Microsoft, among many other Internet sources. NSA and the Snoop and Spy Caucus say this spying on Americans and our allies is necessary to catch the terrorists. They even claim terrorist attacks have been prevented. If this is true, show the evidence. Prove it. Where are the terrorists who supposedly have been thwarted by these surveillance tendencies? Even if it is true, which I doubt, it still violates the law. In my opinion, it violates the PATRIOT Act. The PATRIOT Act doesn't allow for this nonsense. It violates the constitutional right of privacy, Mr. Speaker. It violates the Fourth Amendment and the right of persons to be secure in their homes, papers and effects without government intrusion. Government cannot use the old Soviet-style, dragnet approach, hoping to catch a big fish while also catching the endangered species of freedom. Those who argue otherwise say they must seize the whole haystack to find the needle in the haystack. Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what is prevented in the Fourth Amendment. I would like to quote the Fourth Amendment: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. The Fourth Amendment specifically prohibits government from seizing the whole haystack to find the one needle. Mr. Speaker, the American people have lost trust in government. It is time for Congress to intervene to prevent the invasion of privacy by government against the citizens. The Federal Government must stop redlining the Fourth Amendment. According to an administration official, the President did not sign off on this stuff, and was unaware of the depth of the surveillance of foreign leaders. Who did sign off? Mr. Speaker, is there a shadow government in America that operates outside the law, outside the knowledge of the administration? Sort of spooky, isn't it, Mr. Speaker? Technology may change, but the Constitution does not. We can have security but not at the cost of losing individual freedom because, to quote the constitutional law professor: There should be no choice between the liberties we cherish and the security we provide. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, Pakistan is a disloyal, deceptive, and devious ally of the United States. Pakistan harbors Taliban terrorists that are at war with our troops in Afghanistan. Pakistan hid out Obama bin Laden. Pakistan put the Pakistani doctor that helped the United States take out ``the devil of the desert'' in prison for 30 years. Pakistan is playing the United States for a nation of fools. Otherwise, why would our Government just send $1.2 billion to Pakistan? Haven't we learned that Pakistan takes our money and slyly and seditiously uses it for purposes counter to U.S. interests? Pakistan has become the Benedict Arnold ally of America. Why do we pay Pakistan to hate us? Madam Speaker, they will do it for free. No American taxpayer money to Pakistan. Use that American money in America. Freedom-loving nations that give Pakistan money in the delusive hope of fighting terrorism are sailing the ships of the foolish--and the United States has become the admiral of the fleet. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the chairman for the inclusion of the provisions in the bill to help expedite environmental reviews and for the language that was requested by myself and Congressman Farenthold which would help increase private investment in our Nation's ports and expedite the completion of large critical projects. One important project that is authorized in this bill is the deepening of the Sabine-Neches Waterway. I have been working on the authorization of this project since I was elected in 2004. My predecessors, Nick Lampson and Jack Brooks, worked on this project. Mr. Weber, who now represents this area, has been working on this project. In fact, the original Chief's Report for the Sabine-Neches Waterway was authorized to begin in 1997, 16 years ago. That was three Presidents ago. It was in the last century. Since that time, all four of my kids have finished high school, graduated from college, gotten married, and have given me 10 grandkids. The United States has fought two major wars. Sixteen years to do an authorization on a Federal project--something is wrong with this picture, Mr. Speaker. This project was supposed to cost $300 million. Today, if it is authorized, it will be $1.1 billion. That is a 287 percent increase, and we still haven't moved any dirt. There is something wrong with this picture, Mr. Speaker. That is why this WRRDA bill is so important. It makes critical structural improvements to the way the Corps of Engineers does business so we can end these absurd delays. It shouldn't take 20 years to complete a project, and I'm talking about authorization just to approve a project, like the Sabine-Neches Waterway. The Sabine-Neches Waterway is critical to America's energy and national security. It was first authorized at 40 feet. This WRRDA bill will make the depth 48 feet, permitting deeper draft vessels to come through. Right now, tankers that come up the Sabine-Neches Waterway can't be full because they drag bottom. They have to offload part of their fuel before they come up the waterway. That is why this is important to the United States. It is also vital to the United States military. The Sabine-Neches Waterway, actually is the home of the largest commercial military out- load port in America, and it is the second-largest military port in the world. The channel is home to two designated military strategic seaports: Beaumont and Port Arthur, Texas. Additionally, 20 to 30 percent of the Nation's commercial jet fuel and a significant majority and classified amount of our military's jet fuel is produced on the Sabine-Neches Waterway. This is the energy corridor of the United States. Refineries line this entire waterway. Delays by the Corps of Engineers have cost millions of dollars, all because they cannot make up their mind to approve the project. Mr. Speaker, pick a horse and ride it. Either approve the project or deny the project, but make up your mind. These delays are absurd. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in my former life, I was a criminal court judge for 22 years and spent 8 years as a prosecutor in Texas. Child abusers are the worst criminals in our society. But too often the justice system ignores the victim. So Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) and I founded the Victims' Rights Caucus. The VRC is currently focused on combating human trafficking. This topic is of particular interest to me because my hometown of Houston, Texas is unfortunately a hub for this despicable crime. Many are not aware that modern day slavery occurs right here in the United States. The problem is very real, especially amongst vulnerable youth in the child welfare system. This is Anna's story which Shared Hope International shared with me. After Anna's family passed away, she was placed in the foster care system at the age of three. She was shuffled from home to home until age 12 when she was finally adopted by a loving family. But Anna began hanging out at the corner store without her family knowing. There, she met a person whom she thought she could trust. Little did she know that the person she met at the corner store was not actually a friend at all. One day, when she got into a fight with her parents, she called her ``friend'' from the store, who promptly picked her up. Anna didn't know that this call would change her life forever. Her ``friend'' was actually a trafficker. He was violent. He beat her and sold her body. The emotional, physical and sexual abuse continued. He threatened her family's lives if she called the police. She was told the police would arrest her. And that's exactly what happened. The police did arrest her. She was treated like a criminal, not a victim. Anna became convinced that her family no longer wanted her. She felt helpless and scared. After almost four years of this unspeakable abuse, Anna eventually escaped and was reunited with her family. Through strength, a resilient spirit, and with the help of her mother, Anna vowed to make a difference one victim at a time. She now has a ministry for sex trafficking survivors and runs an outreach program for at-risk youth. Unfortunately, Anna's story is not unique. The scars from the foster care system stayed with her and made her vulnerable to trafficking. Many foster youth have experienced neglect, physical, emotional, and/ or sexual abuse. These factors make children more susceptible to trafficking. The child welfare system has tremendous problems and one major challenge is to not only put a roof over a child's head, but to instill values--like self-worth--in each child. Child sex predators try to steal the soul of their victim when they are assaulted. I will soon introduce the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act with Congresswoman Maloney. The companion will be offered by Senator Cornyn and Senator Wyden. This bill will create a grant program to help State and local governments develop and implement comprehensive victim-centered programs. The bill creates a ``Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund'' at the Treasury, financed through fines on persons convicted of human trafficking and child exploitation crimes, which can be used to fund support programs for victims of human trafficking. Criminals will literally pay for their crime and for the system they have created. Included in the bill are a number of other provisions to ensure victims receive justice and traffickers and buyers are prosecuted. In this country we have 5000 shelters . . . For animals, according to the ASPCA. These shelters are great. I got my Dalmatians from a shelter. But we have less than 300 beds for domestic minor sex trafficking victims according to a recent survey by Shared Hope International. We must have facilities to rescue and restore these victims. The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act builds upon the End Sex Trafficking Act, that I have already filed with Congresswoman Maloney. This bill will help combat human trafficking by targeting the criminals who purchase sexual acts and ensuring they are prosecuted as human traffickers. This bill goes after the anonymous buyers of child sex slavery. Target the demand in order to stop the sale of children. The days of boys being boys are over and the long arm of the law must go after these consumers. Justice demands it and justice is what we do in this country. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the gentleman. The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government cannot pay its own bills. It is a sign that we depend on financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policy. Money that we have borrowed from the Social Security trust fund, borrowed from China, borrowed from Japan, borrowed from American taxpayers. The rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy. Robbing our cities and States of critical investments in infrastructure like bridges, ports, and levees; robbing our families and our children of critical investments in education and health care reform; robbing our seniors of retirement and health security they have counted on. Every dollar we pay in interest is a dollar that is not going to investment in America's priorities. Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices onto the backs of our children and our grandchildren. Americans deserve better. Driving up our national debt is irresponsible. It's unpatriotic. These are the words of Senator Barack Obama in 2006 and in 2008. Madam Speaker, what was irresponsible and unpatriotic is all of a sudden responsible conduct? I think not. We should be talking about cutting spending before we start raising America's debt ceiling. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I received the following email from a constituent who forwarded me comments from a former government worker: As a former government employee, I have worked for the government for over 40 years. During that time I became familiar with requisitions, bidding, and awarding contracts. It is time-consuming with bean counters and pencil neck bureaucrats. A request takes months, not days or even hours. In less than 8 hours of the shutdown, miraculously professionally printed 3x4 signs--with logos--appeared all over the country in the 1000s saying: ``This park facility closed due to government shutdown.'' There has not been a government shutdown in 17 years. Signs had to be designed, requisitioned, and bids had to go out, approved and contracts signed; then the signs were made and distributed. Either this is the most efficient thing the Federal Government has ever done, or this quick shutdown was planned and determined months ago. Mr. Speaker, if the writer is accurate, this is an interesting and odd coincidence, don't you think? And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Mall and the memorials on the Mall are public places open 24 hours a day. The Park Service has closed them, using the excuse of the shutdown. But the Park Service discriminates who may exercise the First Amendment and who may not. It allowed a free speech immigration rally on the Mall but denies people access to the World War II Memorial. This is arbitrary action, thus constitutionally unlawful. The Park Service forgets also that the First Amendment includes the right of the people to peaceably assemble. The Supreme Court sometimes limits the First Amendment by citing a compelling State interest, even though the First Amendment doesn't really give that exception. The Government's compelling State interest here: lack of money. Does this mean any time the government claims it has no funds, it can shut down the First Amendment and deny the right to peaceably assemble? I think not. This excuse is ludicrous, unlawful, arbitrary, and in practice, it discriminates. The First Amendment was written to prevent this very type of action by government. Let the people assemble. Take the barricades of constitutional oppression down. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our current U.S. sugar policy maintains that sugar will not become a solely foreign-grown product for the United States. When we weaken our sugar and our sugar growers, it hurts America but it helps Brazil, it helps Mexico--the biggest competitors for the United States. Brazil's yearly $2.5 billion subsidy has led them to controlling 50 percent of the global sugar exports. Mexico has already unlimited access to the United States. And who is the biggest sugar producer and exporter in Mexico? The Mexican government. Mexico owns and operates 20 percent of the Mexican sugar industry. On top of that, Mexico already owes Texas 300,000 acre feet of water out of the Rio Grande. It is improperly taking that water out of the Rio Grande River--water that should go to Texas sugar growers, but it is not. House Resolution 378 will weaken the U.S. sugar industry, giving advantage to Mexico and Brazil. By allowing more foreign sugar into the United States we create unnecessary and hurtful competition. We prefer, if we pass this legislation, foreign farmers over American farmers. Weakening our sugar program is not reform; it is crippling. It is crippling to the United States market, to the 140,000 sugar industry jobs. Once again, it only leaves us dependent on other countries for our sugar. Mr. Speaker, it is one thing to become dependent on foreign countries for our energy; it is another thing if we start moving into the area of becoming dependent on foreign countries for what we eat. I urge my colleagues to vote against this resolution. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, no one brings meaning to the phrase ``Don't mess with Texas'' more than our lawmen. Every once in awhile, when I have the chance to escape from the Devil City, I get together with what I call the ``Poe-leece''. The Poe-leece are a group of my friends in the Texas law enforcement community. I have been friends with most of them since my days on the bench. When we all get together we like to exchange ``war stories''. The most seasoned veteran of them all is a man named Tom Morgan. Tom Morgan is the oldest active lawman in Texas. This year Tom turned 93 years young. I first met Tom 25 years ago at the North Harris County Criminal Justice Association breakfast meeting in Humble. This sprightly veteran still has the same passion for our country and our military that he did the day he enlisted. Tom served three tours of duty, but that is not the only remarkable part of his career. Tom was born on September 20, 1920, in Bossier City, Louisiana, about twenty miles from the Texas border. He was a child of the Great Depression and grew up very poor. His town was very patriotic, especially since it was home to Barksdale Air Force Base. When World War II began, Tom was just 21 years old. He answered his country's call of duty to serve and joined the U.S. Marines. During this time, the United States' first major offensive was launched against Japan in the Guadalcanal. Japan was trying to solidify its stronghold on the Island of Guadalcanal, because of its closeness to Australia. The Japanese had built an airfield and had about 8,500 men on the island. Tom's first tour was in Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands, in August 1942. Sergeant Tom Morgan and the Marine Corps-- members of the Greatest Generation--secured the airfield and killed half the Japanese force. But the fierce fighting took three months. Conditions were harsh for our warriors--thick jungle, heavy rainfall, swamps, mud, mountainous terrain and a determined enemy. The Japanese sent in reinforcements during the ``Tokyo Express''; 4,000 of the enemy reached land. However, by February 1943, the U.S. marines took control of the island. Tom's unit played a pivotal part in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Over 1,500 American warriors were killed in action and 4,000 injured; thousands contracted malaria--including Sergeant Tom Morgan. Tom later recalled that malaria had put him near death. He rested as much as he could and took the little yellow pill, Atabrine, which doctors prescribed. In the summer of 1944, Tom was sent to fight in the Battle of Saipan. Marines go where others fear to tread, and they fight for all American freedoms. They landed on the beaches of Saipan with a goal of gaining a crucial air base from which they could launch B-29 bombers. The Battle of Saipan was fierce and bloody; the enemy put up barbed wire along beaches and dug trenches to trap and ambush the marines. Our boys laid claim to the beachheads inch by bloody inch. Nearly 30,000 Japanese soldiers died trying to defend the island and 3,426 Americans were killed with 13,000 wounded. On July 8, 1944, the United States flag was raised in victory over Saipan, and Tom survived his second major battle. Less than a year later, Tom was sent to fight in the Battle of Okinawa, referred to as Operation Iceberg. This battle was the first time that U.S. troops fought on Japanese soil and it would be the bloodiest. Tom and the Marines were on board a transport ship Easter Sunday morning, 1945, eating breakfast in the mess hall when an enemy plane hit the ship. Water began filling up the mess hall and Tom thought he was going to meet his maker. However, the man above had different plans for Tom. The hatch flew open and he was able to escape. The marines went on to land in Okinawa. The battle lasted 82 days and was referred to as ``typhoon of steel''. American casualties were the highest experienced in any campaign against the Japanese. Battle casualties for the Japanese were 49,151, of which 12,520 were killed or missing and 36,631 wounded. Marine losses, including those of the Tactical Air Force, were 2,938 killed and missing and 13,708 wounded. On June 22, 1945, the United States flag was raised in victory over Okinawa and Tom survived his third battle. Not many Americans fought in all three battles of Guadalcanal, Saipan and Okinawa. Tom remained in the Marines until 1946 and continued his service in the Reserves; he even served three months in the Korean War. After the war, Tom enrolled at the University of Louisiana to pursue his degree in mechanical engineering. During that same year, he decided to pay a visit to an old friend in Houston, Texas. It was there he met a Texas beauty; her friends called her Pat. Tom told me he fell in love with Pat at first sight. He immediately decided to move to Texas, transferred to the University of Houston, and married Pat the following year. He finished college, became a pipeline engineer and designer and began a family. He and his wife, Pat, raised three children in their home in Pasadena, Texas. He retired from Gulf Interstate Engineering in 1982, at the age of 62. Now this is where I would normally say. ``And that's just the way it is.'' But, Tom's story is not over. Ten years after retirement, Tom decided to join the Harris County Sheriff's Office Reserve Command. At first, Pat was not too happy. He told Pat he was tired of following her around the grocery store and that he needed to be busy. So at the age of 72, he graduated from the Harris County Sheriff Office Academy and became the oldest rookie. Today, Lieutenant Tom Morgan is assigned to the HCSO Marine Division where he patrols the waters of Lake Houston, San Jacinto River and the Ship Channel. Once a Marine, always a Marine. As a reserve deputy he works at least 500 hours a year. He conducts boat safety inspections and boat stops to enforce all aspects of boating law. For 21 years, he has put on the badge and a gun to protect and serve the people of Harris County that he loves. He patrols the Ship Channel, where he works closely with Homeland Security at the Port of Houston. Retire? Not Tom. Again, let me remind you. Tom is 93 years old. Tom is the oldest lawman in Texas. In 2008, Tom's Texas beauty, Pat, passed away. Tom and Pat were married for 61 years. It's been five years since her passing; Tom told me not a day goes by that he doesn't miss his Pat. He says it's good for him to stay busy: working, volunteering at his church, spending time with his three children who all live in the Houston area and enjoying his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ronald Reagan best summed it up when he said, ``Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.'' And Tom definitely does not have that problem. Soon, Sheriff Adrian Garcia of Harris County, Texas, will recognize Lieutenant Tom Morgan with the Lifetime Achievement Award. A fitting honor for a remarkable man. Semper Fi! Oooh Rah! Marine and Texas Lawman--Tom Morgan. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker: The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the United States Government cannot pay its debts. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our government's reckless fiscal policies. That was a statement by Senator Barack Obama in 2006. Driving up our national debt from $5 trillion to $9 trillion is irresponsible. It is unpatriotic. Once again, Senator Barack Obama in 2008: Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that the buck stops here. Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices on to the backs of our children and our grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I, therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America's debt limit. Senator Barack Obama, 2006. But that was then; this is now. The President, last week, said, without an increase in the borrowing limit, ``the whole world will have problems.'' In other words, we are all going to die. The sky is going to fall unless the United States raises the debt limit. He seems to be a little bit inconsistent on positions regarding the debt limit. Of course, now the debt limit is up to $17 trillion, double what he talked about several years ago of not raising. So we find ourselves in a situation where the President's attitude seems to be: I will not negotiate, except with the Russians, the Syrians, the Iranians about what is going on overseas. But I will not negotiate, I will not talk to the House of Representatives about American issues. It would seem to me, Mr. Speaker, that things that are happening in the United States are really just as important as what is happening in Russia, Syria, and Iran--but maybe not to the administration. The administration would rather be in shutdown and lockdown for political reasons than to talk, to negotiate, to compromise, to even listen. You know, Mr. Speaker, they say that Nero fiddled while Rome burned. It seems that the administration is in bunker mentality while the United States is in economic turmoil. And where are we? We are in a situation where there is no talking. And it seems to me, the administration says it is our fault. The President won't talk to us. The President has the habit, it seems, to blame others on bad things that happen and takes credit for things that are always good. But, in any event, I reemphasize the President's own words about why we should not raise the debt limit: it is reckless; it is irresponsible; it is unpatriotic; it hurts us domestically and internationally; it is a failure of leadership, and Americans deserve better. I agree with that. So since the President seems to be somewhat inconsistent about his positions, why doesn't he just talk to us? Talk to us about the debt limit, the continuing resolution, about America's issues, America's policies, America's problems, and at least acknowledge that the House of Representatives exists. So I would suggest, Mr. Speaker, when you get to talk to the President--because I don't get to talk to him--and suggest that he come out of the White House and meet with the people's House and quit fiddling around and start talking to us so we can solve this problem together. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we lost five warriors on the battlefield of Afghanistan recently. They were 25-year-old 1st Lt. Jennifer M. Moreno; 24-year-old Pfc. Cody J. Patterson; 24-year-old Special Agent Joseph M. Peters; 25-year-old Sgt. Patrick C. Hawkins; and 19-year-old Lance Cpl. Jeremiah M. Collins, Jr. Unfortunately, their families were given the news not only that they had lost their loved ones, but they were also told that they would not be given the $100,000 in death benefits that they were entitled to receive within three days of the death of their loved ones. The $100,000 payment is being withheld from the families--two of them Army Rangers--and one Marine and the bodies of the five warriors will be returned to Dover Air Force Base today. Congress needs to act NOW to rectify this absurd and disgraceful situation. This money helps the families by giving them an immediate source of cash to help get through the tough times surrounding the funeral of their loved ones. The Pentagon says it has specific instructions from its budget office not to make payments for deaths that occurred after 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2013--the date of the start of the government shutdown. Congress passed a bill last week which should have made it clear that the Pentagon had the authority to make these kinds of payments, however this Administration continues to play politics with this shutdown and has apparently directed DOD not to make these payments. In order to make it ABUNDANTLY clear that DOD has the authority to make these payments, I thank the Speaker for quickly bringing this bill up to the floor. It is my hope that the Senate quickly passes this bill, and the President signs it. There is no excuse that any other American hero's family is told that they will not get the death benefit they deserve. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as we continue to talk and discuss and debate the issues of the debt ceiling, of the continuing resolution, there are still things taking place in government. Some of them aren't so good. Just to give a little background, which you are certainly aware of, we have our Constitution with the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is a section in the Constitution that protects citizens from government abuses. The First Amendment is first because it contains the most important rights. If those rights are abridged, the rest of the Bill of Rights-- to me--is meaningless, and we all know that two of those provisions have to do with the freedom of speech and the freedom of press. We traditionally honor those because they are so important. Historically, the most controversial of all speech and press was political speech and religious speech. Those are especially protected in the First Amendment, and there are historical reasons for that. The colonists, our forefathers, they were an ornery bunch, and they were constantly hammering, through the press and through speech, King George III, Great Britain, and their abuses on individuals in the Colonies-- and rightfully so. Therefore, when our Constitution was written and the Bill of Rights was written, we wanted to ensure that, under our philosophy and under our democracy in the United States, freedom of speech, and freedom of press were protected. Over the years, the Supreme Court has ruled on free speech and press cases; but they have gradually limited speech, which is another issue. The prevailing rule is that, if there's a compelling State interest-- whatever that means--and we'll talk about that some other time--then speech can be prohibited. Never mind, Mr. Speaker, the First Amendment doesn't say anything about limiting speech when there's a compelling State interest. But the Supreme Court said, if there's a compelling State interest, speech can be limited, and, of course, the Supreme Court decides what that compelling State interest is. There are also two types of punishment for speech. One is censorship, which is the most egregious. That is to prevent someone from saying something or publishing something. Then there's the other type of punishment for speech, after the speech is made. Then there is punishment sometimes for what is said, such as a threat or yelling ``fire'' in a crowded theater. But the most egregious is preventing someone from saying something or printing something or publishing something. That is censorship. So that brings us to what is taking place. We've all heard of Fast and Furious. That's the situation where our government sent guns to Mexico under the theory that they're going to track the guns. Americans were killed; Mexican nationals were killed. We're over in court because Eric Holder won't give us information about Fast and Furious. Now one of the ATF agents wants to publish a book, called, ``The Unarmed Truth,'' and it's about Fast and Furious. He is an agent in the ATF and whistleblower. The ATF has a policy that says, Well, we, the ATF, decide whether someone in our organization is allowed to publish or have some type of outside employment, and we use our own discretion. It's just up to us. We don't have any policy rules. We just arbitrarily decide. And they have decided that because Dodson wants to publish this on his own time, not on company time, or government time--he went and tried to get permission--they said, You can't publish that book. Here's the reason he was given, Mr. Speaker. The reason given to him was, well, it might hurt the morale in the ATF. Now, do you think that's a compelling State interest to prevent a person from printing something and violating his right of free speech because the government says it might hurt the morale in the ATF? Absolutely not. You've got somebody that wants to tell the truth about the ATF, and it's a violation of his constitutional right not to be able to discuss openly what took place. It's a denial of the First Amendment freedom of speech. It is a denial of freedom of press. These individuals of the ATF, censor police, ought to be furloughed. They ought to be sequestered, specifically those that are denying the freedom of press, the freedom of speech to someone who just wants to talk about what took place in the ATF. This ought not to be, but that's what has taken place by the ATF coverup squad. Unchain the freedom of speech and press. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month is devoted to raising awareness and educating individuals about breast cancer and honor the thousands of women across our nation who have been diagnosed, fighting or have survived breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, and it is estimated that this year more than 230,000 cases of breast cancer. In the great state of Texas, 13,856 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. In the Second District of Texas, I am proud of our local hospitals, school districts, and non-profits who promote breast cancer awareness and prevention during this month. My own staffer and casework manager, Whitney Rahim, has been affected personally by this disease. Whitney's mother, Cynthia Bryant, is a 5 year breast cancer survivor and a community volunteer for the Houston Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and the Houston Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Whitney and her mother, along with friends and family, walk in both races to raise funds for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment. Almost everyone we know has been touched by this disease. Last year, my friend John Garza with the Houston Police Department, received news that his wife, Virginia had stage 2 breast cancer. Virginia, like her husband, is a lifetime member of what is referred to in my part of Texas as the Poe-leece. It is an informal organization made up of my longtime friends in the Texas law enforcement community. I first met Virginia in 1993 at the North Harris County Criminal Justice Association breakfast meeting in Humble; she was then an agent with the DEA (United States Drug Enforcement Administration). I knew then that Virginia was a fighter and survivor. Virginia is a highly trained federal and state narcotics investigator; she has worked for the DEA, Harris County, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Humble Police Department. When Virginia was first diagnosed, she had just started working as a Senior Investigator at the Harris County Attorney's Office and had very little sick time accumulated. While receiving chemo treatments for a course of six months, she never missed a day of work! Virginia and John have five children and four grandchildren. One of Virginia's biggest fears was not being present or helpful for the birth of their third grandchild, I am happy to report that Virginia courageously battled cancer and she is cancer free and she recently saw the birth of her fourth grandchild. Unfortunately, this disease has hit home for another one of our very own from the Houston Police Department. Senior Police Officer Linda Reichert was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2011. Every year, she made her routine mammogram appointment and on that day in December, she never thought she would receive the news that she did. Stage 0 breast cancer. Zero was a small number in her mind but it wasn't until doctors discovered stage 2 cancer in her lymph nodes that she realized she couldn't take the small number for granted. It was an arduous road to recovery for her. However, after a double mastectomy, intense chemotherapy, and lymph nodes removal, she was able to return to a job that she is immeasurably passionate about. It was more than the medicine and surgeries that led her to becoming a breast cancer survivor. Officer Reichert exuded positive energy and happiness, even during her lowest moments. Hair loss and skin deterioration were part of her recovery, but with her support team of family, friends, coworkers and doctors at her side, she beat the odds that come along with this disease. Today, she feels top-notch with lots of energy and is back at work pushing her goal each and every day: making a difference in someone's life, even if it is just one person. As a husband and father of three girls, I support funding for breast cancer research, screening, and treatment programs. I am an advocate for organizations that are dedicated to educating women about early detection by practicing regular self-breast exams and scheduling regular mammograms. I would like to express my sincere admiration to the 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in our country, like Cynthia and Virginia, who have demonstrated courage in their personal fight against this disease. Their tireless work is an inspiration and a reminder that we must keep up the fight until there is a cure. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, government secrecy is anathema to all people, and darkness by rulers can be trumped by the sunshine of a public and an independent judicial system. But, Mr. Speaker, secrecy by a judicial system is a threat to liberty of all free peoples. in our country we have the Constitution; and, specifically, the amendments to the Constitution protect us as a free people against government--government intrusion and government violation of our privacy--because government really has no right; it has power. It has what we give it when we give up our liberty and our rights. The amendments promote openness of government and protect individuals from government. There is the Sixth Amendment that talks about a public, speedy trial, where witnesses come forward and people are put on notice of the crime. Citizens are given a jury trial. But the most important part of that amendment is the right to a public trial. The Seventh Amendment deals with jury trials in civil cases. Of course, the Fifth Amendment talks about the fact that, in a trial, a person accused doesn't have to testify or produce any evidence against themselves. And then the Fourth Amendment talks about how government is limited on how it can intrude into our homes and our papers. It limits government surveillance. And it's an inherent right that the government search be reasonable and based on probable cause, and that there must be a warrant drafted under oath describing the place to be searched, the persons and objects to be seized. Now, this just didn't come out of our ancestors' minds because they thought it was a good idea. There are historical reasons for this. Maybe in our government public school system we ought to teach more about the history of liberty and why we do things the way we do under this Constitution. It goes all the way back to the 1500s in England when England invented this concept of the Star Chamber. The idea was, well, we're going to be able to prosecute and go after nobles, certain people who are being able to get away with violations of the law. But the courts were made specifically to be secret courts where there were no witnesses, there was no indictment, and a person was forced to testify against themselves. So, obviously, it was abused. It was abused by the Kings of England, primarily Henry VIII, when he went after and fought his opponents by prosecuting them in those secret courts. The United States doesn't have the Star Chamber, but we have the NSA--the National Spy Agency, as I call it--and the FISA courts, the 21st century descendants of the Star Chamber. The NSA and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows those courts under FISA to authorize searches of anyone. Those searches are not based on probable cause, and those areas are not specifically described to be searched. It is a general warrant concept that they used in England to search people in England that were political opponents of the government and of the King. The spy courts in the United States started under the theory that we need to be safe from terrorists. But the NSA and the spy courts violate the Constitution in the name of security. Warrants under FISA are general warrants where NSA can seize phone records, NSA can seize credit card bills and utility bills. And we are learning now that they seize not only phone data but that NSA seizes bank records. Also, the judges are far from being independent. They meet in secret--just like the Star Chamber did. They can't even keep the records of the proceeding. Those are turned back over to the government. There are no witnesses present--just like in the Star Chamber. There's no lawyers present for anybody--just like in the Star Chamber. These FISA courts should be protecting American citizens and should be following the Constitution. They are supposed to act as the independent power between government and the people. But they're not doing that. I call them the ``Spy, Search and Seizure Courts'' because they are operating in the darkness of tyranny. We don't know what they're doing. They allow the NSA to seize and violate the privacy of Americans in violation of the Constitution by seizing people's records under general warrants. A general warrant is the idea that government knows there's a bad guy in the area, so the government wants to search the whole area of town for the bad guy. You can't do that. I used to be a judge. Government has to have probable cause. It has to give the address of the house, the specific area, state the probable cause. The warrant has got to be sworn to and be specific about the location and what government wants to search and what government wants to seize or it's a violation of the Constitution. The spy courts--the NSA courts and the Star Chamber courts--need to be revisited. It's time to shine sunshine on the FISA courts and the spying of the NSA. The NSA and the FISA courts--the Star Chamber courts--have shut down the Constitution. Now it's time to shut down the unlawful surveillance and intelligence gathering by these courts on American citizens. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on September 11, 2001, Lieutenant Colonel Rolando Aguilar was already in the cockpit of his F-16 at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. He was a member of the Texas Air National Guard. He was in his cockpit when he heard the sound of scrambling horns alerting him to fly a mission. He and his wingman took off and they headed east, and they intercepted Air Force 1 over the Gulf of Mexico and protected the former guardsmen from their unit from any possible attack. They stayed guarding him and flying next to Air Force 1 until they were relieved. Yes, it was President Bush. According to them, the Texas Air National Guard was the first to be in the air on September 11. The members of the Guard and Air Force Reserve--and, Mr. Speaker, I was a member of the Reserve at the same time President Bush was a guardsman, at the same base at Ellington Field--kept them flying, have served and are serving our Nation honorably since their existence. They are on watch today in places around the world. That's why we need to fully fund the Air Force Reserve and National Guard like we do the regular military. There should be no shutdown for these volunteers that protect American. Pass the National Guard and Air Force Reserve funding bill and keep Lieutenant Colonel Aguilar flying. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, ObamaCare discriminates. It gives special treatment to special friends of the administration--1,200 waivers of special folks, but not waivers for everybody. It also treats Big Business better than it does individual Americans. It delays ObamaCare 1 year for Big Business, but not individuals. That is discrimination. Treat everybody the same. Waivers for all or no waivers for anyone. You've delayed implementation for 1 year for Big Business; delay it for individuals as well. It's interesting. If ObamaCare is good for everybody, why isn't Obama under ObamaCare, and his staff, and the Cabinet? Put everybody in ObamaCare. That is why we have this fight, because ObamaCare discriminates, and it's a fight worth having. Defund it until everybody is treated fair. No discrimination. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the House, again, will vote to fund the government, not shut it down. And when we fund the government, we're going to do two things that are in fairness, that do not discriminate against folks: One thing, we're going to let everybody get a postponement for a year. Why should big business be treated better than the individual citizen? It shouldn't, so let's postpone the whole plan for 1 year. And also, why should special folks in Washington get exemptions, like the White House, the White House staff, Members of Congress, Members of Congress' staff, leadership staff, committee staff? We should all be under the rules of the law that is passed. It's interesting, ObamaCare, and Obama is not under ObamaCare, neither is the White House, neither are the Cabinet Members, neither are the staff. Why not? Let's treat everybody alike, not discriminate. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, where, oh where has the Senate gone? Where, oh where can they be? With time so short and issues so long, where, oh where has the Senate gone? The House has offered a compromise. We have passed legislation to fund the government and postpone ObamaCare for a year, but the Senate and the President refuse to work with us, refuse to negotiate, refuse to compromise, even refuse to talk to us. While we were here until nearly 1 a.m. Sunday morning, the Senate was gone. The President, according to the New York Times, played golf over the weekend. So the President will negotiate with the Iranians, the President will negotiate with the Russians about Syria, but the President and the Senate will not talk to the House. Aren't Americans as important as Syrians, Russians, and Iranians? I guess the Senate and the President have other priorities, but their inaction of talking to us will cause a shutdown. Where, oh where has the Senate gone? Where, oh where can they be? With time so short and issues so long, where, oh where has the Senate gone? And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I posted on my Facebook page the question, How has ObamaCare affected you or will it affect you in the future? I received almost 400 responses. I will just read a few of those. I certainly won't read the ones that were volatile, Mr. Speaker, because a lot of people are just mad. It is true that about 20 percent of those responses like ObamaCare and about 80 percent, not so much. Leisa says: My son was lowered to 29 hours last week for a new full- time norm because owner doesn't want to pay ObamaCare. Sharon says this: My mother is diabetic and couldn't take insulin for 3 days because she couldn't get her test strip prescription filled due to a Medicare glitch because of ObamaCare. Kristy: My hardworking husband can only find temporary contract work. No one wants to hire permanent positions, and those that do have permanent positions are hard to even get an interview with. I hope it doesn't last long. We have a baby due in mid-October, and already have three children. Joseph: I expect my employer will not be able to afford future raises due to the enormous expense he has to pay under ObamaCare. Victoria: My husband has not been able to get a job because folks are not hiring due to ObamaCare. They are actually laying people off. My parents are elderly and they have three doctors who have quit medicine because of ObamaCare. So no, Mr. Poe, it is not the greatest thing ever. April says this: Since the implementation of ObamaCare, I have not been able to find a job. No one wants to hire a permanent position. Everything is part-time or temporary for all those jobs, and they also tell me that I'm overqualified. I think the whole ObamaCare thing needs to be done away with. Genelle says: My husband and I are in our seventies. Our copays for prescriptions have doubled. Our doctor told us that he will not be able to treat us with the same quality we now get when ObamaCare goes into full steam. Mary Lou probably said it the best. She said: Ted, we pray even more fervently that we just don't get sick. Those are some responses of people out there who actually work for a living and are concerned about health care. They're not so sold on this. So here we are, on this Saturday afternoon, and the President is spending time negotiating with the Iranians about things in Iran. He's spending time negotiating with the Russians about things that are going on in Syria. But he won't negotiate with Congress. I don't get that. Why doesn't he come over here to the House? Let's sit down on an informal basis and just chat about the problems we have. Is it the idea that the people of Syria and Russia and Iran are more important to talk with than Members of Congress? I don't get it. Like Mary Lou said, ``ObamaCare: we just don't want to get sick.'' And now, today, we're facing a debt ceiling problem, we're facing a continuing to fund the Federal Government problem, we have ObamaCare that gives special treatment for about 1,200 groups that got waivers. None of these people I mentioned got waivers. Let's talk about those things. Let's find out. And maybe we can work out something. But let's at least talk. So, Mr. Speaker, you're in good with the President. Give him a phone call. Ask him to come over here and chat this afternoon with the House--the Democrats, the Republicans--and let's work something out about the continuing resolution, about the debt ceiling, but at least let's talk and negotiate and not refuse to talk to even Members of the House of Representatives. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the gentlewoman, and I thank your mother for being so kind. I appreciate the fact that you're bringing this to the attention of the American public and to Members of Congress again. The Affordable Care Act, it's not affordable, and it has nothing to do with care. We cannot afford it, and it's the health care of the Nation now turned over to the government. Are you kidding me? That's why we are so persistent in trying to change a bad decision by Congress, the Affordable Care Act. So this morning, I asked people that are on my Facebook to answer this question: How's ObamaCare affecting you and your business? Share your story with me. Well, I got a lot of them, and I can't give them all today. Here's what Stan says: I lost my job and had to take one with lower pay and no insurance, as a result of ObamaCare. Carolyn says: My husband's insurance increased 162 percent. The gentlelady from Minnesota knows these are real people. These aren't statistics out there in the fruited plain. These aren't theories by the President. These are real people who are affected by the President's signature legacy nightmare law. Ray says: My family didn't get a congressional exemption. Can you get me one? Ray, good point. Members of Congress ought to be under the same laws as everybody else in the country. Everybody ought to be under ObamaCare. And he brings out a good point. I have here 729 exemptions of the over 1,200 that were granted by the President for waivers of ObamaCare. I would have had all 1,200 but the copy machine ran out of paper so I couldn't print them all. But here are 729 special folks, special treatment, better deal, because they're not under ObamaCare. They get some kind of waiver for implementation of ObamaCare. And Ray is right: it's just not right. It discriminates against everybody else. This great law gets to apply to everybody except some special folks the President gives waivers to--at least 729. After Ray's comment about a congressional exemption, I can't get you one, Ray. You need to call the President. Michael says: I have to postpone my graduation from the University of Houston because I cannot take the courses I need due to having to work to pay for mandatory health insurance. Tonya says: My family's insurance premiums have tripled since ObamaCare was signed into law. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to keep it. Tonya's tripled. Pam says: The huge chemical company my husband works for has made changes to his benefits package, which include higher deductibles, copays, and loss of some prescription drug benefits, all done in anticipation of this new law. Please help. URGENT: I want to hear from you. How has #Obamacare affected your family or business? Share your story by commenting on this post & #MakeDClisten Stan: I lost my job and had to take one with lower pay and no ins. Carolyn: ``My husband's insurance increased 162%.'' Ray: ``My family didn't get a congressional exemption, can you get me one?'' Michael: ``I am having to postpone my graduation from UH because I cannot take the courses I need due to having to work to pay for mandatory health insurance.'' Tonya: ``My families insurance premiums have tripled since Obamacare was signed into law. I'm not sure how much longer I will be able to keep my insurance.'' Pam: ``The HUGE chemical company my husband works for has made changes to his benefits package, which include higher deductibles, copays, and loss of some prescription drug benefits. All done in anticipation of the implementation of the health care act the Pres and Dems are forcing on us! He works hard, I am a public school teacher, and we want to send our daughter to her dream school upon graduation this year: The University of Texas. More coming out of our pockets for health ins, means less available for college! Please help'' Kristy: ``Family business has had a 47% increase in cost to company since Obamacare was passed. Want to provide the same benefits to employees, but the increase amounts to the annual salary of employee. Will have to cut somewhere.'' David: ``I am a US/Texas citizen, living in Bahrain/ residence in Bahrain. My employer provides my insurance in Bahrain. I am told I have to buy a US policy are pay a penalty.'' Huckleberry: ``I expect my health insurance to double. The provider has extended my renewal date till dec 1st as they are waiting to see what congress is going to do.'' Teddy: ``My fiancee went from 40-plus hours a week to 27 hrs because her employer said they had to in order to avoid penalties from obamacare. My sister has been told that her test and some of medicines for her MS will not be covered because obamacare mandates say she is no longer going to be a `viable' person at the age of 50.'' Linda: ``I'm feeling the pain of Obamacare today. My doctor's office told me this morning that my insurance company will no longer cover a procedure for my knee. I will now have to pay $1,080 out of pocket. Asked if this was a result of Obamacare, she replied in the positive.'' 24 Hour Fitness, Allied Building Inspectors IUOE Local 211 Welfare Fund, Alpha Omega Home Health, LLC, Andersen Corporation, Bowman Sheet Metal Heating & Air-conditioning, Bricklayers Insurance & Welfare Fund, Bridge, Structural, Ornamental & Reinforcing Ironworkers Local Union No. 60*, Carey Johnson Oil Co, Inc, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany*, Cement Masons' Local No. 502 Welfare Fund, City of Bloomington VEBA Health Savings Plan*, City of Burnsville*, City of Olathe*, Clausen Miller PC. Crystal Run Village, Inc*, Delta Apparel, Discovery Benefits*, Dr. Trailer Repair, Inc., Employer-Teamsters Local Nos. 175 & 505 Health and Welfare Fund, Entrust, Fabri-Quilt, GC Harvesting, Inc., Glen Curtis, Inc. #2143, Heritage Christian Services, IBEW Local 3 NYC Electrical Division Health & Welfare Fund, Indiana Area UFCW Union Locals and Retail Food Employers' Health and Welfare Plan. Ingham County, Innovative Driver Services Company, Integrity Data*, Inter-County Hospitalization Plan, Inc., Jakov P. Dulcich & Sons, Jefferson Rehabilitation Center, JLG Harvesting, Inc., Johnson Machine Works, Kent County, Laborers' District Council of Virginia Health and Welfare Trust Fund, Laborers National Health and Welfare Fund, Local 1245 Health Fund, Local 237 Teamsters Suffolk Regional Off- Track Betting Corp. Health and Welfare Trust Fund. Local 295 Welfare Fund, Local 381 Group Insurance Fund, Local 805 Welfare Fund, Marble Industry Trust Fund, McGregor Schools ISD #4*, MJ Soffe, MO-Kan Teamsters and Welfare Fund, Mounds View Public Schools*, MVP, North State Bank, North States Industries Inc*, Pathways Inc., Pavers and Road Builders District Council Welfare Fund, Phoenix Children's Academy, Roofers Local 8 Insurance & Trust Fund. San Bernardino IHSS Public Authority, SCC Healthcare Group, LLP, Schenectady ARC*, Schoharie County ARC*, Sieben Polk Law Firm, Sitel, Inc., Southern Graphic Communication Health Fund, Springbrook Standalone HRA*, St. Lawrence NYSARC*, Sunview Vineyards of California, Inc., Tandem Eastern Inc. / Consolidated Transport Systems, Inc., Taylor Farms, Teamsters Union Local # 35, The Day Care Council/Council of Supervisors and Administrators Welfare Fund. The Public Authority of San Luis Obispo County, The University Financing Foundation, Inc., The Village of Newark Non-Union Employee Plan*, Theatrical Stage Employees Local One, Tuff Shed, Inc., U.A. Local 13 & Employers Group Insurance Plan*, UFCW & Participating Food Industry Employers Tri-State Health & Welfare Fund, UFCW Local 1500 Welfare Fund, UFCW Local One Health Care Fund, Ulster Greene ARC*, Westminster-Canterbury of Lynchburg, Wine and Liquor Salesmen of NJ, A-1 Transport, AIDS Council of Northeastern New York, Avon Central School District, Azeros Health Plans, Inc.*, Benton County*, Bessey Tools, Inc., Canandaigua City Schools*, City of Eagan*, City of Shakopee Post-Employment Health Care Savings Account Plan *, Community Work and Independence Inc., Continuing Developmental Services, Crystal Cabinet Works, Inc., CU*Answers, Inc., Euromarket Designs, Inc., d/b/a Crate and Barrel, First National Bank of Dietrerich, Franziska Racker Centers*, Fridley Public Schools Health Savings Plan*, FSA/ SUNYAB-Campus Dining and Shops, Genesee County ARC*. Genesee County Economic Development Corp Health Reimbursement Account*, Grand Island Central School District*, Hammondsport Central School District, Imperial Wholesale, Inc., Learning Disabilities Association of Western New York, Minnesota State Retirement System Post-Employment, Health Care Savings Plan--City of Roseville*, Naples Central School District, Naples Central School District Support Staff, Newark Central School District, Niagara- Wheatfield CSD Self Funded, Panama Central School District, People 1st Health Strategies, Inc., Pipe Fitters' Welfare Fund, Local 597*, Ron Clark Construction Health reimbursement Arrangement*. Sherman Central School District, Silver Creek Central School District*, Sodus Central School District, Telco Construction, Town of Albion, Town of Chenango, Town of Lockport, Twin City Die Casting*, Western Area Volunteer Emergency Services*, Westfield Academy*, Williamson Central School District, American Radio Association Plan, Carpenters Health and Security Trust of Western Washington, Communicare Health Benefits Trust, District Council 1707 Local 389 Home Care Employees Health & Welfare Fund. Health and Welfare Plan of the Laundry, Dry Cleaning Workers & Allied Industry Health Fund, Workers United, Northern Illinois and Iowa Laborers Health and Welfare Fund, Prell Services, United Food and Commercial Workers Retail Employees and Employers Health and Welfare Plan, A-1 Realty*, AABR*, ABCO Diecasters*, Alfred P. Sloan*, Alizio & Galfunt*, All American Heating and AC*, Allied Pilots Association, Amherst Central School District*, AristaCare at Meadow Springs*, Arthur Sanderson & Sons*, Associated General Contractors of ND Employees*, Autistic Service, Inc.* Bartech Group, Basf Fuel Cell, Inc.*, Battery Park City Authority*, Battery Park City Conservancy*, Benefit Analysis Inc.*, Blaze SSI*, Blue Beacon, Board of Trustees for the Operating Engineers Local 101, Health and Welfare Fund, Business Wire*, Cargo Ventures*, Carnegie Corporation of NY*, Carpenters Local No. 491 Health & Welfare Plan, Central Laborers' Welfare Fund, Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Health and Welfare Fund, City of Cottage Grove*, City of Inver Grove Heights*, City Of Roseville MN*. Clinton Management*, Cloquet Area Fire Department*, Cohen Partners*, Community Bank of Bergen County*, Community Mainstreaming*, Contract Cleaners Service Employees Benefit Trust, Cornerstone Search Group*, D & D Ag Supply and Construction, Inc.*, Dial Senior Management, Inc, Douglaston Development*, Dr. Margaret Andrin, MD FACOG LLC*, Dynasil Corporation*, Echo Molding*, Eighth District Electrical Benefit Fund, Electrical Workers Health and Welfare Fund, Enterprise Concrete Products, LLC Texas. Epilepsy Foundation*, Epilepsy Foundation Northeastern New York*, Evans Chemetics*, Excellus Health Plan, Fairport Central School District*, Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, Gregory Packaging*, Gulf Coast Health Care, Handcraft Manufacturing Corporation*, Haver Analytics Health Waiver*, Health Care Employees Dental and Medical Trust, Hiawatha Medical, Inc.*, Highfield Gardens Care Center*, Hirsch International*, Hotel, Restaurant & Bar Employees Health and Welfare Fund. Hypex Inc.*, IBEW Local Union No. 126 Health and Welfare Fund, International Union of Operating Engineers, Supplemental Benefit Fund Local 409*, Interstate Connecting Components*, Jacobson Family Investments*, J-B Wholesale Pet Supplies*, JKL International*, Jump, Scutellaro, and Co., LLP*, KC International dba Ekman Recycling*, Kerwin Communications*, Kingstown Capital Management*, Koellman Gear Corporation*, Kramer Electronics*, Lakeview Subacute Care Center*, Langan Engineering and Financial Services, Inc.*, LBDD*, League of Minnesota Cities*, Leisure Properties LLC d/ b/a/ Crownline Boats*. Liberty House Nursing Home*, Lifetime Assistance, Inc*, Lincoln Hall*, Local 888 UFCW, Maharishi University of Management, Mamiya America Corporation*, Mandt Reiss & Associates PLLC, Margaret P. Muscarelle Child Dev. Center*, Merrill Farms LLC, Micelli Motors, Inc.*, Midwest Asphalt Corporation*, Midwest Teamsters, Monroe County*, Nassau County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc*, NCHC, Inc.*, New York State Assn. for Retarded Children Erie Co. Chapter dba/Heritage Centers*, NJ Society of CPAs*, North Greece Fire District*, Northern Minnesota-Wisconsin Area Retail Food Health & Welfare Fund, Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation*, Parkview Care and Rehab*, PCB Machining Solutions*, PCB Piezotronics*, Philadelphia Macaroni Company*, Phoenix Partners Group, LP*, Privilege Underwriters, Inc.*, Progressive AE*, Quadrant Capital Advisors, Inc.*, Regency Management Group, LLC*, Rhoads Industries*, Roofers Local #96 Health & Welfare Fund. Rowe and Company, Inc.*, Rush-Henrietta Central School District HRA*, Security Benefit Fund of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of New York City, SEIU Health and Welfare Fund, 2000 Seneca Cayuga ARC*, Service Employees 32BJ North Health Benefit Fund*, Sierra Video Systems*, SMEG*, Strategic Industries*, Superior Officers Council Health and Welfare Fund, Teamsters Local Union 966 Health Fund, Techno Source USA*, The Alternative Living Group, Inc.*, The Arc of Otsego (Otsego County Chapter NYSARC, Inc.)*, The Arc of Rensselaer County*, The City of Cloquet*, The Henry Luce Foundation*, The Maritime Aquarium of Norwalk, Inc.* The Pew Charitable Trusts*, The Rehabilitation Center*, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation*, Topco*, Totino Grace High School*, Urstadt Biddle Properties*, W.H. Reaves & Co., Inc.*, Walder, Hayden & Brogan, PA*, Walters-Morgan Construction, Inc., Wellspring Advisors*, West Bergen Mental Healthcare*, Westchester ARC*, Westchester JCS*, Western Beef*, Hollow Metal Trust Fund. Theatrical Teamsters Local 817 IBT Welfare Fund. Vestal Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc., AccessAbility, Inc., Ackerman Oil Employee Benefit Trust, Albany County Chapter, NYSARC Inc., DBA New Visions of Albany*, American Eagle Outfitters, Basin Disposal, Bengard Ranch, Inc., Bestway Rental, Inc, Big Lots, Inc., Byrd Harvest, Inc., Cardinal Hayes Home for Children HRA Plan*, CDS Administrative Services, LLC, Center for Energy and Environment*, City of Brooklyn Park*, D'Arrigo Bros. Co. of California, Defender Services, Inc., DineEquity, Inc. Green Leaf Distributors, Inc., IBEW Local Union No. 728 Family Healthcare Plan, Joseph Gallo Farms, Life Benefit Plan, Luther Automotive Group HRA*, Metrics Inc., Nueces County Appraisal District, Ocean Properties Ltd, P-R Farms, Inc., SEIU Health & Welfare Fund, Sports Arena Employees' Local 137 Welfare Fund, Staywell Saipan Basic Plan, Truck Drivers and Helpers Local 355 Health and Welfare Fund, Communications Workers of America, Local 1180 Security Benefits Fund, Health and Welfare Fund of the Detectives' Endowment Association, Inc. Police Department City of New York. Man-U Service Contract Health and Welfare Fund, Paschall Truck Lines, Inc., SEIU Local 300, Civil Service Forum Employees Welfare Fund, Electrical Welfare Trust Fund, Highmark West Virginia Inc. d/b/a Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield, Advocacy and Resource Center*, Amalgamated, Industrial and Toy & Novelty Workers of America, Local 223 Sick Benefit Fund, Atlanta Plumbers & Steamfitters Fringe Benefit Funds. Aurora Consulting Group, Inc.*, Brock Enterprises, Inc., Central Texas Health and Benefit Trust Fund Locals 520, 60 & 72, Electricians Health, Welfare & Pension Plans I.B.E.W. Local Union No. 995, Essex County Chapter NYSARC, Inc. dba Mountain Lake Services*, Executive Management Services, Inc. Florida Laborers Health Fund, Fulton County Chapter NYSARC, Inc.*, General Parts, LLC*, Greystone Program, Inc*, Hacienda Harvesting, Inc., IBEW Local No. 640 and Arizona Chapter NECA Health & Welfare Trust Fund, Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, Louisiana Electrical Health Fund, Maverick, Inc. Employee Health Care Benefits Plan, Memphis Construction Benefit Fund, Mid-South Carpenters Regional Council Health and Welfare Fund, Mountain Lake Services, NECA-IBEW Local 480 Health and Welfare Plan, Plumbers and Pipefitters Welfare Fund of Local Union No. 719. Retiree Plan of the Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Health and Welfare Fund, Richmond Community Services*, Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 177 Health and Welfare, Pension and Vacation Funds, Sheet Metal Workers' National Health Fund, South Central Laborers' Health & Welfare Fund, Southeastern Pipetrades Health & Welfare Fund, Telamon Corporation Health Reimbursement Arrangement*, The ARC of Delaware County*, UFCW Local 1262 and Employers Health & Welfare Fund, United Cerebral Palsy of Ulster County, Inc*, Vincent B Zaninovich & Sons, Inc., Wayne ARC Standalone HRA Section 105 Plan*, Wildwood Program*, Allied Welfare Fund. Becker County Post-Retirement Health Care Savings Plan*, Becker County VEBA*, FIDUCIA*, Triple-S Salud, Inc., B. R. Company, Britz Companies, ET AL, Century Health and Wellness Benefit Plan and Trust, EBSA Foundation Encore Enterprises, Faurecia USA Holdings, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, Inc., Minnesota Cement Masons Health and Welfare Fund, Plumbers Local Union No. 690 of Philadelphia and Vicinity Health Plan, Robert Heath Trucking Inc., Securitas Security Services USA, Inc., Sunwest Fruit Company, Inc., The Louis Berger Group, Inc. United Food & Commercial Workers Unions and Employers Midwest Health Benefits Fund, WD Young & Sons, Inc., Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, United Food and Commercial Workers and Employers Arizona, Act Trust Mini-Med Plan, Allen's Family Food, Anderson Media Corporation, Blasters, Drillers & Miners Union Local No. 29 Welfare Fund, Care Initiatives, Inc., Cement and Concrete Workers District Council Welfare Fund Plan, COARC*, Construction Workers Local 147 Welfare Fund, Crystal Run Healthcare, Diamondback Management Services, LTD, Freeman Metal Products, Hardwick Clothes, Inc., Hronis, Inc. International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers, Isaacson Isaacson Seridan & Fountain, LLP, Katy Industries, Inc., Landscape, Irrigation and Lawn Sprinkler Industry Health and Welfare Plan and Trust, Local 298 Health Benefit Fund Plan, Local 803 Health and Welfare Fund, Louisiana Laborers Health and Welfare Fund, M.A. Mortenson, Maple Knoll Communities, Marshall Durbin Food Corporation, Minnesota Teamsters Construction Division, Name Brand, Inc., Oklahoma Goodwill Industries, PepsiCo, Inc., Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 823 Health & Welfare Fund, Plumbers & Steamfitters Local No. 6 Health and Welfare Fund, Regent Care Center, Rice Food Markets, Inc., Rice Food Markets, Inc. Ricker Oil Company, Skilled Health Care, Southwestern Teamsters Security Fund, Teamsters Local 445 Welfare Plan, Teamsters Local 210 Affiliated Health and Insurance Fund, Teamsters Welfare Fund of Northern New Jersey Local 1723, The Durango Herald, The Talbots, Inc., Town of Frisco Medical Plan, Tudor Ranch, UNITE HERE Local 74 Welfare and Dental Trust, United Employees Health Plans, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1000 and Kroger Dallas Health and Welfare Plan, United Service Employees Union, Local 377, RWDSU, UFCW, WageWorks, Inc. IBEW Local 613 and Contributing Employers Family Health Plan (Union), Advantage Benefits Company, LLC, Aerospace Contractors' Trust**, AJFC Community Action Plan**, Altisource Portfolio Solutions, American Heritage Life Insurance Company, Americare Properties, Inc., AMN Healthcare, Andrews Transport L.P.**, Anoka Hennepin Credit Union* **, APWU Health Plan Conversion Plan, Aspen Snowmass**, ATCO Rubber Products, Inc, Baylor County Hospital District, Belk Farms**, Bricklayers Local 1 of MD, VA and DC, Cardon & Associates, Inc**, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Ogdensburg. Central Mills**, Civil Service Bar Association Security Benefit Fund**, Cotton Belt Inc.**, CPC Logistics Health & Welfare Plan**, Delmarva United Food and Commercial Workers**, Dole Food Company**, EchoStar**, First Acceptance Corporation, Fontanese Folts Aubrecht Ernst Architects, PC**, Forest Products Inc. Group Health Plan**, Fruhauf Uniform Direct Labor, Golden State Bulb Growers, Inc.**, Greater Kansas City Laborers Welfare Fund**, Grower's Transport LLC, Heartland Automotive**, Helfman Enterprises, Inc.**, Hoosier Stamping and Manufacturing Corp., Horizon Bay Realty LLC**, I.B.E.W. Local 1249 Insurance Fund**, Ingomar Packing Company, LLC. Integra Healthcare, Inc. (Integrity Home Care)**, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers**, International Brotherhood of Trade Unions Health and Welfare Fund--Local 713, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 295-295C Welfare Trust Fund**, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local Union Number 137**, Iron Workers Local Union #28 Health and Welfare Fund**, Lamanuzzi & Pantaleo**, Living Resources**, Local 1102 Amalgamated Welfare Fund, Local 1102 Health & Benefit Fund, Local 1102 Welfare Fund--Lerner Employees, Local 272 Welfare Fund**, Local 338 Affiliated Benefit Funds, Madelia Community Hospital**, Max Homes, Loc**, Medical Development Corporation**, Mesa Air Group**, Mesa Packing** Michigan Conference of Teamsters Welfare Fund**, Minnesota and North Dakota Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers**. Mission Linen Supply, NFI Industries, Operating Engineers Local 835 Health and Welfare Fund, Opportunity Resources, Inc. Health and Welfare Plan, Orange County AHRC* **, Orscheln Industries, Pacific Risk Management**, Pearson Candy Company, Pinnacle PRM**, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 430 Health and Welfare Fund**, Progressive Logistics Services**, Pure Air Filter Sales & Service**, Rancho Maria PRM**, Reiter Affiliated Companies**, Retail, Wholesale & Dept. Store Union Local 1034 Welfare Fund. Rio Farms PRM**, Sensient Technologies Corp., Service Employees International Union Local 1 Cleveland Welfare Fund, SFN Group, Sheet Metal Workers Funds of Local Union 38**, SMWIA 28**, Southeast OBGYN, PC* **, Southern CA Pipe Trades Trust Fund, Southern Operators Health Fund**, Stonebridge Hospitality Associates**, Sun Healthcare Group, Inc., Teamsters Local 522 Welfare Fund Roofers Division, Teamsters Local Union 72 Welfare Fund**, Telesis Management Corporation, Texas Carpenters and Millwrights Health and Welfare Fund, The Mentor Network, The Wada Farms, Inc. The Wilks Group, Inc. dba Ashley Furniture Homestore, The Wright Travel Agency**, Town of Grand Island* **, Trans- System, Inc., True Leaf Farms**, UFCW Local 371 Amalgamated Welfare Fund**, United Crafts Benefits Fund**, United Food & Commercial Workers Unions and Employers Local No. 348 Health & Welfare Fund**, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1445 New Hampshire, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1459 and Contributing Employers Health and Welfare Fund**, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 464a**, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 911**, Varsity Contractors, Inc., Waffle House, Weckworth Manufacturing**, Western Express, Inc., Western Harvesting PRM Health Plan**, WG Yates and Sons Construction Company**, World Class Automotive**, Yukon- Kuskokwim Health Corporation**, Alaska Pipe Trade U.A. Local 367 Health and Security Trust**, Amalgamated National Health Fund. American Farms, PRM Health Plan**, American Growers Cooling, PRM Health Plan**, AUTO, LP, dba AutoInc. Health Benefit Plan**, Better Way Partners, LLC**, Big Valley Labor, PRM Health Plan**, CB Harvesting, PRM Health Plan**, City of Rockwall**, Cocopah Nurseries, Inc., Express Harvesting, PRM Health Plan**, Fallen Oak Packing, PRM Health Plan**, FirstCarolinaCare Insurance Company on behalf of Longworth Industries, Foot Locker, Inc.**, Fresh Express, G&H Farms, PRM Health Plan**, Gill Ranch, PRM Health Plan**, Gill Transport, PRM Health Plan**, Gills Onions, PRM Health Plan**, Green Valley Farm Supply, PRM Health Plan**, Greencroft Communities, Growers Express, PRM Health Plan**, Hall Management Group, Inc.**, IH Services**, Independent Group Home Living Program, Inc. King City Nursery, PRM Health Plan**, Meijer Health Benefits Plan/Primary Care Option, Mission Ranches, PRM Health Plan**, Moore's Retread & Tire of the Ark-La-Tex, Inc., NOITU Insurance Trust Fund**, Payroll Solutions, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local No. 630 Welfare Fund, Seco Packing, Transcorr, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1000, United Wire, Metal & Machine Health & Welfare Fund**, Western Growers Assurance Trust, Wisconsin United Food & Commercial Workers Unions and Employers Health Plan**, 1199SEIU Greater New York Benefit Fund, A. Duda & Sons, Inc., Adecco Group, Inc., Biomedic Corporation, Buffets, Inc. Carington Health System, Cleveland Bakers Teamsters, Club Chef LLC, Columbia Sussex Mgmt, LLC, CRST International Inc., Darr Equipment, Co., DC Cement Masons Welfare Fund, Deaconess Long Term Care, Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., ECOM Atlantic, Inc., FW Walton, Inc., G4S Secure Solutions, GC Services, L.P. & First Community Bancshares, Inc., Guardsmark, LLC, Indiana Teamsters Health Benefits Fund, Knox County Association for Retarded Citizens, Laundry and Dry Cleaning Workers Local No. 52, Mars Super Markets, Inc., MPS Group, Inc. Nexion Health, Noodles & Company, Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, Quality Integrated Services, Inc., RE Rabalais Constructors, LTD, RREMC LLC, Security Forces Inc., Shirkey Nursing. Social Service Employees Union Local 371, Spindle, Cooling, & Warehouse, Strauss Discount Auto, Sunburst Hospitality, Susser Holding Corp, Telescope Casual Furniture, Teletech Holdings, Inc., The Brinkman Corporation, The LDF Companies, United Food and Commercial Workers Union (Mount Laurel, NJ), United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1459 Universal Orlando, Valley Services, Inc. United Food and Commercial Workers and Participating Employers Interstate Health and Welfare Fund, Protocol Marketing Group, Sasnak, Star Tek, Adventist Care Centers, B.E.S.T of NY, Boskovich Farms, Inc, Cafe Enterprises, Inc., Capital District Physicians, FleetPride, Inc., Gallegos Corp, Hensley Industries, Inc., Jeffords Steel and Engineering, Laborers' International Union of North America Local Union No. 616 Health and Welfare Plan, O.K. Industries, Service Employees Benefit Fund, Sun Pacific Farming Coop, SunWorld International, LLC. UFCW Allied Trade Health & Welfare Trust, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1995, HCR Manor Care, IBEW No. 915, Integra BMS for Culp, Inc., New England Health Care Employees Welfare Fund, Wiliamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company, Aegis Security Insurance Company, Alliance One Tobacco, Asbestos Workers Local 53 Welfare Fund, Assurant Health (2nd Application), Captain Elliot's Party Boats, Carlson Restaurants, CH Guenther & Son, CKM Industries dba Miller Environmental, Caribbean Workers' Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Health and Welfare Plan, Darden Restaurants, Duarte Nursery. Employees Security Fund, Florida Trowel Trades, Ingles Markets, Meijer, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 123 Welfare Fund, Sun Belt, UFCW Local 227, Uncle Julio's, United Group, US Imaging, Vino Farms, AdvantaStaff, Inc., Agricare, Alaska Seafood, American Fidelity, Convergys, Darensberries, Gowan Company, Greystar, Macayo Restaurants, Periodical Services, UniFirst, Universal Forest Products, UFCW Maximus Local 455, American Habilitation Services, Inc., GuideStone Financial Resources, Local 25 SEIU, MAUSER Corp., Preferred Care, Inc. Ruby Tuesday, The Dixie Group, Inc., UFCW Local 1262, Whelan Security Company, AMF Bowling Worldwide, Assisted Living Concepts, Case & Associates, GPM Investments, Grace Living Centers, Mountaire Corporation, Swift Spinning, Belmont Village, Caliber Services, Cracker Barrel, DISH Network, Groendyke Transport, Inc., Pocono Medical Center, Regis Corporation, The Pictsweet Co. Diversified Interiors, Local 802 Musicians Health Fund, MCS Life Insurance Company, The Buccaneer, CIGNA, Greater Metropolitan Hotel, Local 17 Hospitality Benefit Fund, GSC- ILA, The Allied Industries Health Fund, Harden Healthcare, Vernon Sheltered Workshop, Inc. Health and Welfare Plan #501, I.U.P.A.T., Sanderson Plumbing Products, Inc. Transport Workers, United Federation of Teachers Welfare Fund, Aegis, Aetna, Allflex, Baptist Retirement, BCS Insurance, Cryogenic, Fowler Packing Co., Guy C. Lee Mfg., HealthPort, Jack in the Box, Maritime Association, Maverick County, Metropolitan D.C. Paving Industry Employees Health and Welfare Fund, PMPS-ILA, PS-ILA, QK/DRD (Denny's), Reliance Standard, Tri-Pak, United Agricultural Benefit Trust.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Affordable Care Act is here to stay, saith the President. But his legacy landmark law discriminates. The President has arbitrarily granted extensions to Big Business, to some small businesses, and some State exchanges, but ordinary Americans--no extensions for them. I guess special interest groups just have more clout with the President than normal people do. Too bad. Everyone should be treated alike. Postpone ObamaCare for everybody for 1 year. Don't discriminate. The second place the President's wonder law discriminates is who is subject to this law of the land. The President touts his law as good for America. But why has he granted over 1,200 waivers for special groups--waivers to labor unions, for example? That's not fair--waivers for some, but not for others. So delay ObamaCare for at least a year for all Americans and either grant waivers for all Americans or put those 1,200 groups back into this bill. It's unconstitutional for the constitutional law professor to wave his wand of exemptions and delay for some but not for others. That's just not fair. And that's just the way it is.