Mike Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I want to take a minute to thank the men and women of the National Guard for the service they have provided in protecting this Capitol over the last 2 weeks. I especially want to thank the 750 men and women from the State of Alabama who came here to the call of duty. Once again, these citizen soldiers left their homes and their jobs to respond to this call, and, although it is unfortunate they were needed, it is certainly appreciated by all of us that they were here. Mr. Speaker, I firmly believe that each President deserves the opportunity to fill their Cabinet as they see fit. And I agree that it is important to confirm President Biden's national security team as soon as possible, especially given the grave threats that we face. Four years ago, this House provided a process to consider a waiver for General Mattis. We were all disappointed when General Mattis did not appear before the Armed Services Committee. Yet the Armed Services Committee still convened and held a public markup of the waiver, which passed without a single vote from any Democrat. Then the full House debated and voted on the waiver. This time around, the Armed Services Committee was excluded from the process by the Democrat leadership of this House. This was not a decision made by Chairman Smith, who wanted a public hearing as much as I did. There has been no public hearing, no markup of a waiver, no opportunity for amendments. Just 4 years ago, Democrat leadership told us how important it was to follow regular order and allow the Armed Services Committee to consider the Mattis waiver. Speaker Pelosi said, ``The American people are entitled to regular order and thoughtful scrutiny of nominees and any potential waivers.'' Majority Leader Hoyer said, ``The committee has a right and a responsibility to inquire of General Mattis why he thinks he ought to be given a waiver.'' I guess this time around they don't feel the same way. Mr. Speaker, civilian control of the military is a fundamental tenet of our Republic. It is rooted in our Constitution. The law prohibiting recently retired military from serving as Secretary of Defense was enacted shortly after World War II to uphold this principle. In nearly 75 years, the law has only been waived twice, for General Marshall and General Mattis. This will be the third time. But Biden didn't have to do it this way. There was a strong pool of diverse civilians and former military leaders with qualifications and experience to serve as Secretary. President Biden could have selected from this talent pool, but he chose not to. I voted for the waiver for General Mattis, and I will vote for the waiver for General Austin. For me, it is just fair--a waiver for a Republican President and a waiver for a Democrat President. But I stand here frustrated by this dysfunctional process. President Trump and President Biden forced this Congress into situations made worse, this time around, by the Speaker's decision to ignore regular order. Congress should not have to entertain these waivers. Presidents need to follow the law as written. They need to stop asking Congress to waive a statute. And we certainly shouldn't be forced to do so outside of regular order. If Presidents don't think the law matters, then they need to address this waiver issue in this year's NDAA. Mr. Speaker, America faces extraordinary threats from strategic competitors like China and Russia, rogue nations like Iran and North Korea, as well as terrorists and other transnational enemies. It is more critical now than ever to strengthen our military, address mounting readiness problems, and modernize our conventional and nuclear forces to defeat these threats. I believe General Austin understands the threats that we face. I believe he respects the principle of civilian control. I believe he will stand up to the efforts of many of the Democrat majority who seek to slash defense spending and rewrite our defense strategy. I hope the rest of the Biden administration shares his commitment for providing for our men and women in uniform the resources they need to successfully defend our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jacobs).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Thornberry and Chairman Smith for their leadership in this essential process to ensure America's security. This bill takes important steps forward to confront China by establishing the Indo-Pacific Deterrence Initiative. It is vital that we support and strengthen our allies and partners in the region in order to deter the growing threat from China. This NDAA also funds critical investments here at home that will enable us to confront the sophisticated threats we face from China and Russia. The NDAA also includes provisions implementing a number of Cyber Solarium recommendations. These changes will continue to modernize our military and civilian cybersecurity efforts. I think that we have only begun our work in this area. In addition to these cutting-edge needs, this conference report also reauthorizes the pay to troop deployed in combat zones. Most importantly, this bill adheres to the budget agreement and fully funds the President's budget request. Now more than ever, we must reject calls for blanket defense cuts from partisans who are using the current crisis as an opportunity to push their agenda. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague Mac Thornberry for his years of service and dedication to the Armed Services Committee. No one cares more about our men and women in uniform and has been a better leader for our conference. We are going to miss his passion and dedication for these issues, and we wish him and Sally nothing but the best as they go forward.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the retirement of David Ford. David recently announced his retirement from Berman Museum of World History in Anniston, Alabama, after serving as assistant director for the past 13 years. He is a 1970 graduate of Anniston High School and was a member of the last class to graduate from the old high school on Leighton Avenue. He was drum major of the Anniston High School Marching Band. David is a graduate of Jacksonville State University where he served as editor of The Chanticleer. He also served in the United States Air Force as a pharmacy technician. Prior to his time at the museum, Ford worked to improve the situation at the Calhoun County Humane Society and before that spent his career working in journalism at WDNG radio station in Anniston writing and broadcasting stories about the lives of people in Calhoun County. He was a Public Information Officer for the Calhoun County EMA and worked in civil service for several years as a technical writer for the Anniston Army Depot and as Press Secretary for former Alabama Governor Bob Riley. His professional life has been one dedicated to public service. When David left WDNG, the Anniston mayor and city council presented him with the Key to the City. David had a personal relationship with the Berman Museum chief benefactors, Farley and Germaine Berman, and that connection was evident in his work at the museum. He spent many of his days giving groups special tours of the facility and his natural ability of story- telling made the position the perfect fit. David won't slow down much with retirement as he was just named president of the Anniston Morning Rotary Club, a member of the Anniston Runners Club, a volunteer at the Anniston Soup Bowl and serves as senior warden at the Church of St. Michael and All Angels. At St. Michael's, he is also a member of the Parish Choir, a Lay Eucharistic Minister and Docent, member of the Archives and History Committee. As Senior Warden, he also serves as a member of the Executive Committee, the Endowment Committee and the Board of Directors of St. Michael's Medical Clinic. He has been active in the affairs of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, frequently representing St. Michael and All Angels as a delegate to annual Diocesan conventions. He has served in nearly every leadership capacity possible at St. Michael and All Angels and is a graduate of the Education for Ministry program of The Episcopal Church, a multiple-year intensive study for lay persons, under the auspices of The University of the South. David is married to Jo Rhea and they have one son, John David. He is the son of Melvin and Doris Ford, of Oxford and has three siblings. He enjoys cooking and can be found around town wearing his signature bowtie and pocket square. As a lifelong lover of history and a voracious reader, he plans to spend his new free time writing. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the career of my friend, David Ford, and wishing him the best in his retirement.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize The Kiwanis Club of Anniston Alabama's 100th Anniversary. The first Kiwanis club started its service in Detroit, Michigan, USA in 1915, and the Kiwanis Club of Anniston, Alabama became the 277th club in the USA and the 8th club in Alabama when it was formed on August 20, 1920. Today it is one of 56 active clubs in Alabama. The Kiwanis Club of Anniston lives up to its motto ``Serving the Children of the World.'' The club holds its annual Pancake Day fundraiser each March and currently raises more than $50,000 annually totaling $700,000 for children-related causes. The Kiwanis Club of Anniston has also been participating in creating and incubating the Sarrell Dental Clinic which remains a vibrant part of the community by serving children in need of dental services, the Kiwanis Walking Trail at LaGarde Park, and by contributing to the IDD (Iodine Deficiency Disorder) and ELIMINATE (UNICEF Neo Natal Eliminate Tetanus) international programs which have had a major impact on the world. The Kiwanis Club of Anniston sponsors and supports the activities of eleven Key Clubs in Calhoun County in the following high schools: Alexandria, Anniston, Donoho, Faith Christian, Jacksonville, Ohatchee, Oxford, Pleasant Valley, Weaver, Wellborn, and White Plains, a Builder's Club, and Circle K at Jacksonville State University. The service provided by the Kiwanis Club of Anniston, Alabama over the past 100 years will continue to have a positive impact on the community and citizens as it celebrates its 100th Anniversary and prepares the club for the changes and challenges that lie ahead. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the Kiwanis Club of Anniston for its service to our youth and community and thanking them for 100 years of service.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Thornberry and Chairman Smith for their leadership in bringing this bill to the floor in such a bipartisan manner. I am pleased the bill includes several provisions to support the Space Force and prioritizes the hypersonic and ballistic missile tracking space sensor. While there is still much work to do, this bill takes important steps forward to confront China with the Indo-Pacific Deterrence Initiative. It also includes almost $600 million above the President's budget for science and technology and investments in critical emerging technology areas. These critical investments are what will enable us to confront sophisticated threats that we face from China and Russia. Importantly, this bill adheres to the budget agreement and fully funds the President's budget request. Now, more than ever, we must reject calls for blunt defense cuts from partisans who are using the current crisis as an opportunity to push their agenda. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend and colleague, Mac Thornberry, for his years of service to the Armed Services Committee. No one cares more about our men and women in uniform and has dedicated more time and effort to making sure they have what they need. Our committee was lucky to have him as chairman for 4 years and ranking member for 2 years, and we wish him and his wife, Sally, nothing but the best in the future.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Major General Clinton E. Crosier, United States Space Force. On Friday, December 20, 2019, President Donald Trump signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, creating the sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Space Force. This was a historic moment; a watershed step to increasing our ability to protect and defend the American way of life. I can say, without a doubt, this would not have happened as swiftly and smoothly as it did without Clint's leadership as Director of the DOD Space Force Planning Task Force. So how did a boy from Iowa grow up to help create the Space Force? Well, while he was traveling the world with his military family, he always had his eyes on the sky. When he began his collegiate education at Iowa State, he undertook a really easy major, aerospace engineering, and then sought out a commission in the United States Air Force in 1988 where he ultimately wound up flying satellites and launching rockets. He quickly earned top honors in multiple space training schools and developed satellite-commanding processes that became the new Air Force standard. He then served in the United States Senate where he authored key Congressional language that improved the national space enterprise, and in the Office of the Secretary of Defense he was main interface to the National Security Council, charged with rebalancing America's space intelligence architecture. As the signature authority for dozens of international agreements with Allies, he improved United States space capabilities, and represented the United States at key meetings with North Atlantic Treaty Organization and United Nations. With this breadth of experience, it's no wonder he was selected as the lead planner for the Presidentially-directed United States Space Force, coordinating efforts to shape the Congressional authorization of the first new military service in 72 years. Together with his team, he led the development of; the macro-organizational design, the stand-up of the initial force elements, the funding and manpower requirements, and the implementation of the policies and processes that governed the establishment of the United States Space Force. His military awards include the Bronze Star combat medal for a yearlong deployment to the Middle East, the National Reconnaissance Office Director's Gold Medal, the Iowa State University Aerospace Engineering Department Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Lance P. Sijan Leadership award. This career of accolades is only possibly through the incredible support of his family: his wife, Mrs. Shelle Crosier, and their three children: Clint, Stephanie and Kellie, along with six grandchildren. Major General Crosier distinguished himself over 33 years of military service, representing the United States of America with the highest honor and distinction. Major General Crosier, as the ``architect of the Space Force,'' is an inspiration for all of us who stand ready to serve our great country. We are grateful for his unique vision and commitment. I thank Major General Crosier. America will continue to defend the highest ground, and the Space Force will thrive, because of your noble efforts.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the 100th birthday of Orrin (Boody) Brown, Jr. Mr. Brown was born on Easter Sunday April 4th, 1920, to Orrin and Mary Charles at their home on South 4th Avenue in Opelika, Alabama. During his childhood, Mr. Brown attended Miriam S. Brown Elementary School. As a teenager, his family moved to North 8th Street just across from Cliff Hare High School where he graduated in 1937. He worked several after-school and summer jobs including working as a soda jerk at a local pharmacy. Always a music lover, Mr. Brown played the alto saxophone with a small group of friends in town. After high school graduation, he attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API), now known as Auburn University. With World War II looming, Mr. Brown joined the Air Cadet program, but failed the initial physical because he didn't meet the weight requirement. After increasing his dietary intake, he passed the physical. He graduated in 1941 with a degree in Aeronautical Supervision and was then commissioned in the Army Air Corps. Mr. Brown was assigned to Cherry Point, North Carolina where he learned to fly anti-sub patrol as a navigator/bombardier. When the U.S. joined the war, his group was sent to England as part of the 8th Air Force. He flew 30 missions in B-24s dropping supplies and agents to the French, Belgian and Norwegian resistance. He remained in the National Guard after the war and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. After returning to Opelika, Mr. Brown worked assisting veterans with loans. He met his future wife, Barbara Saunders on a blind date. They married in October of 1947 and were blessed with three daughters: Barbara (Bebe) and twin sisters Stephanie and Debbie. Mr. Brown has ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Mr. Brown worked at the Alabama Gas Company and later with Botsford Knight Insurance Agency until his retirement. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir and participated in the Lumpkin Sunday School Class. He has been a member of the Kiwanis Club for over 60 years and was a member of the Saugahatchee Country Club where he enjoyed playing golf and preferred walking to riding in a golf cart. He still enjoys watching Auburn and SEC sports. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mr. Brown and wishing him a very happy 100th birthday.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the 130th Anniversary of Pell City, Alabama. In the late 1890s, in a small community tucked midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, three railroad lines connected. The story of Pell City began when a young insurance salesman en route to Talladega missed his train, and, thus, was forced to spend a night at Pell City's Cornett Hotel. That young man's name was Sumter Cogswell. Upon reviewing the community's location to water, cotton fields, coal mines and railroads, Mr. Cogswell decided to invest in the growth of the community. It took him two tries and upon his second try, he moved his family and household belongings to the community raising the number of people calling this area home to just over 40 people. A textile mill was built and jobs were plentiful. In 1901, Pell City became the location of the second courthouse in St. Clair County, an act that would take an amendment to the Alabama State Constitution to complete. In the 1960s, Logan Martin Lake and Interstate 20 added to the town's appeal, and the population increased dramatically. In the 130 years since that fateful day when Mr. Cogswell missed his train, and with the direction and investment of visionary leaders, Pell City has continued to grow and flourish in one of the fastest growing counties of Alabama. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the 130th Anniversary of Pell City, Alabama.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the life of Mr. William Colley, Jr. Tommy--as he was affectionately known--passed away on April 23, 2020, at the age of 58. With his passing, the manufactured housing industry lost a legend. Manufactured homes are a critical source of housing for more than 22 million Americans, including over 750,000 residents of Alabama. With the national homeownership rate at a 50-year low and rents increasing at a rapid pace, manufactured homes are one of the most promising avenues for addressing our country's affordable housing shortage. Tommy understood the importance of manufactured housing, and he worked every day to promote and protect the industry. Tommy began his career with manufactured housing in 1976, painting frames in a plant when he was only 14 years old. After finishing high school, he stayed in the industry, later graduating from Troy University in Troy, Alabama, with Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Business Administration. By 1992, he set out on his own, opening an installation company-Southern Mobile Home Service. Five years later, he joined the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission, where he later served as Assistant Administrator. He was also serving as Chair of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee and as Co-Chair of the Southern Region Council of State Administrative Agencies. Last September, his office worked with HUD's Office of Manufactured Housing Programs to host the ``State Administrative Agency and Primary Inspection Agency Southern and Eastern Regional Meeting'' in Mobile, Alabama. Two years ago, in recognition of his commitment to the manufactured housing industry, he was honored as the ``2018 Alabama Manufactured Housing Association Person of the Year'' by the Alabama Manufactured Housing Association. In February, he was inducted into the Alabama Manufactured Housing Industry Hall of Fame. A devoted family man, he and his wife, Lisa, were married for 32 years. He is also survived by two children--his son, Ethan (Kaela), and daughter, Devon (Sam). A life-long resident of Eclectic, Alabama, he was also an elder and minister with Mt. Hebron Church of Christ. In his spare time, he loved to fish. Madam speaker, please join me in recognizing the life of Tommy and everything he did to support this industry. He will be missed.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, many of my constituents are showing up to work every day; from grocery store clerks, to nurses, doctors, policemen, and first responders. If the House had the resolve and the courage to do the same, we wouldn't need this partisan resolution. This is disgraceful. I urge all Members to vote ``no.''

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Oklahoma for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Res. 965. This blatant, partisan move to fundamentally alter the way the House and committees operate completely undermines the rights of the minority and over 200 years of precedent. As ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, I am particularly concerned how this resolution overrides the rules of our committee. At the beginning of the Congress our committee negotiated with the majority a set of rules that protected minority rights. Now those rules are being thrown out and replaced by regulations written by the chairman of the Rules Committee, regulations that the minority first saw only hours ago. I don't understand why Speaker Pelosi doesn't trust her chairmen and chairwomen to negotiate with their ranking members on ways to accommodate committee business during this pandemic. But, apparently, she just doesn't trust them. One of the things that concerns me most about this resolution is that nothing guarantees that Republican Members are going to properly be notified and able to fully participate in virtual committee hearings. That may sound petty to you, but, unfortunately, on my committee, it is already the reality. For the last 2 weeks, Homeland Security Democrats have been holding virtual hearings without notifying Republican Members. To make matters worse, they restricted participation to only a handful of their Members. I fear this resolution will only further empower the misconduct on my committee and cause it to spread to others. Worst of all, this is being done for the short-term benefit of the majority, and not the American people. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from all ranking members opposing this resolution. Washington, DC, May 14, 2020. Hon. Steny H. Hoyer, Majority Leader of the House, Washington, DC. Dear Majority Leader Hoyer: We write in regards to H. Res. 965, which proposes partisan changes that facilitate remote and virtual committee operations while the House remains in recess. When the Majority first released proposed rule changes a few weeks ago, we couldn't possibly imagine it could get any worse for the House as an institution. Yet, somehow, the Majority managed to write an even more egregious package of rules changes and seems hellbent on pushing these changes through without bipartisan consensus. Upending more than 200 years of precedent through partisan fiat will jeopardize the deliberative process of the House of Representatives and our ability to represent our constituents. The House will be in session this week with debate being held and votes being cast. If the whole House can conduct business while adhering to health guidelines, then so too can our Committees. The work of committees should be prioritized to ensure that we are producing thoughtful legislation to support the continuing response to COVID-19 and to foster a robust economic recovery for the American people. Properly prioritizing this work will ensure greater flexibility in scheduling and increase our ability to follow all applicable health guidelines. Congress has already demonstrated that we can come together during this crisis to address the needs of the American people. Unfortunately, many of the proposed changes in H. Res. 965 are only necessary if you seek to move partisan measures or legislation un-related to the COVID-19 response. The proposed resolution gives unilateral authority to Chairman McGovern to determine how committees manage their business. Currently, committees are required to vote to ratify proposed committee rules, but this new superpower will allow a single Member of the House to determine the rules of the road for all without amendments and without a vote. The issuance of a subpoena and conducting a deposition are serious matters. To allow remote depositions underscores how unserious H. Res. 965 truly is. A deposition is an important tool for committees to use and it should not be subject to the uncontrolled environment of an untested virtual setting. The rights of the Minority in the House must be protected. Without the ability to ensure the rights of our Members are secured, we cannot support your efforts and will oppose any attempt to alter the rules. As Ranking Members of all standing and select committees, we oppose this partisan assault on the rights of the House Minority and our ability to effectively represent the American people. Sincerely, Michael Conaway, Ranking Member, House Committee on Agriculture; Mac Thornberry, Ranking Member, House Committee on Armed Services; Virginia Foxx, Ranking Member, House Committee on Education and Labor; Kenny Marchant, Ranking Member, House Committee on Ethics; Michael McCaul, Ranking Member, House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Rodney Davis, Ranking Member, Committee on House Administration; Kay Granger, Ranking Member, House Committee on Appropriations; Steve Womack, Ranking Member, House Committee on the Budget; Greg Walden, Ranking Member, House Committee on Energy and Commerce; Patrick McHenry, Ranking Member, House Committee on Financial Services; Mike Rogers, Ranking Member, House Committee on Homeland Security. Jim Jordan, Ranking Member, House Committee on Judiciary, House Committee on Oversight and Reform; Rob Bishop, Ranking Member, House Committee on Natural Resources; Frank Lucas, Ranking Member, House Committee on Science, Space and Technology; Sam Graves, Ranking Member, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; Kevin Brady, Republican Leader, Committee on Ways & Means; Garret Graves, Ranking Member, Select Committee on the Climate Crisis; Tom Cole, Ranking Member, House Committee on Rules; Steve Chabot, Ranking Member, House Committee on Small Business; Phil Roe, Ranking Member, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs; Devin Nunes, Ranking Member, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; Tom Graves, Ranking Member, Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed from H.R. 6494.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to inform the House that I plan to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 6494. The cosponsorship was made in error. The House is in a pro forma session due to the COVID-19 national emergency, so this request cannot currently be made in person. Since a Unanimous Consent request requires my presence, I will make said request when the House returns to session.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our efforts to defeat this deadly virus. This bill will help people who are hurting because of this outbreak. For those from rural districts, like mine, our hospitals cannot handle the onslaught of patients. Hospitals in my district face a situation as dire as it has ever been in my 18 years in Congress. The capacity just isn't there. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, most hospitals in Alabama's Third Congressional District were operating with less than a one-third profit margin. This bill helps those rural hospitals by enabling them to buy central supplies, build needed infrastructure for broadband and telehealth, and keep cash flowing so they can remain able to help patients. That is the good news. As ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security, I want to acknowledge the hardworking personnel of the Department of Homeland Security. These men and women interact with the public daily, whether it is Transportation Security Administration, CBP, ICE, or others. They are putting themselves in harm's way with this deadly contagion. I say thank you for their dedication to ensuring the safety of our Homeland Security. This bill provides DHS with a number of its requests to combat this deadly virus, and I am thankful for that. But for some reason, we couldn't see fit to provide the full amount requested by Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deal with this virus. There isn't any dedicated money to purchase personnel equipment for CBP, for example, or ICE. These professionals work face- to-face with migrants and they deserve better. This won't be the last time Congress has to act to mitigate the impact of this virus on America. I thank President Trump for his leadership, and the willingness of Republicans and Democrats to come together to put America's needs first. There will be the need for more help; there will be the need for more legislation; but, for the time being, this piece of legislation must pass, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the 100th birthday of Phil Sanguinetti. Mr. Sanguinetti was born in 1920 in Norfolk, Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1942 and received a master's degree from the University of Tennessee in 1948. He was a chemist at Monsanto from 1942 to 1954, and director of technical sales at Mobay Chemical Company from 1954 to 1962. He married Elise Ayers in 1950. He began working at The Anniston Star in 1962 as national advertising manager. He was later named business manager, vice president and in 1973 named president of the company. He has held leadership positions with International House at Jacksonville State University and Anniston Community Theater. He has also been active at Grace Episcopal Church. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mr. Sanguinetti, his contributions and dedication to the Anniston area and wishing him a very happy 100th birthday.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Texas for yielding. Madam Speaker, today, we are dealing with legislation that didn't make sense on January 9, it didn't make sense on January 30, and it doesn't make sense today. Today marks the third time the House has considered a version of this legislation in just 3 months. I am back to remind my colleagues that our conflict is not with the Iranian people, but with their tyrannical and murderous regime. The Iranian Government, using agents like General Soleimani and the IRGC, has been arming Shia militias, including Hezbollah and others across the Middle East for decades. General Soleimani's organization was responsible for the deaths of nearly 600 Americans. This resolution offers safe harbor to those killers. It offers safe harbor to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated foreign terrorist organization. It offers safe harbor to terrorist groups receiving advanced weapons directly from the Iranian Government. These forces are critical to the Ayatollah's clear goal of complete influence over the entire Middle East. But the American people know the regime's legacy. They know the Ayatollah doesn't care about the bloody cost of its terrorism. The legislation before the House today only paves the way for new Iranian aggression. Halting military operations and putting red tape on the Commander in Chief does nothing to fix the problems in the Middle East. I believe this resolution makes America less safe. It makes a mockery of years of dedicated counterterrorism efforts. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' for the third time in 3 months on coddling Iranian terrorists.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the life of Robert Maxwell Herring. Herring, best known to most as Coach, passed away on March 3rd, a day shy of his 80th birthday. Coach was a letterman in four sports in high school and went on to play football, basketball and baseball at Mississippi College. He finished his undergraduate degree at Mississippi State. He began his coaching career in 1969 in Birmingham, moving later to North Alabama and then to his hometown in Mississippi. He won two private school state football titles in 1975 and 1983. In 1985, Coach Herring took the head coaching job at Oxford High School in Oxford, Alabama. Over the next 14 years, he created a football powerhouse. He won three Class 5A state titles in 1988, 1989 and 1993. Herring retired under the Alabama system in 1998 and went on to be the head coach at Newnan High School in Georgia. In 2001, he was elected to the Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame and in 2012, he was inducted in the Calhoun County's Sports Hall of Fame. He was selected as Coach of the Year in Calhoun County by his peers in 1986, 1988, 1991, 1993 and 1998. In 1993, he was named Coach of the Year for Class 5A by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. He retired from coaching after the 2008 season. Coach Herring was a Christian man devoted to his family and married to the love of his life, Gail Edmondson Herring. They were blessed with four children: Reagan, Randa, Robert and Ryan. He was ``Big Dad'' to seven grandchildren. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the life of Coach Robert Herring and his service and dedication to young athletes for 40 years. He will be greatly missed.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 90th birthday of Robert Joseph Renie. Mr. Renie was born on April 9, 1930 in Centration, Missouri to Joseph Patrick and Norene Renie. He had one sister, Lura Ann. Mr. Renie attended the University of Missouri and served in the United States Air Force in the early 1950s. On June 9, 1956, he married Joan Hall and was blessed with two children: Tamara and Robin. He also has two grandchildren. Mr. Renie worked in the insurance business from the late 1950s to 1980 in the Detroit area. In 2012, Joan passed away. On November 23, 2013, He married Barbara Armstrong Golden and inherited two children: Tonya and Kimberly and five grandchildren. Mr. Renie is an avid golfer. In 1999, he moved to Opelika, Alabama and is active in Trinity United Methodist Church. He also became active with the Kiwanis Club of Auburn, Alabama joining in 2002. He served as President 2005 to 2006 and Lt. Gov from 2008 to 2009. Mr. Renie was awarded a Hixon from Kiwanis Club in 2013. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mr. Renie, his contributions and dedication to the Kiwanis Club and wishing him a very happy 90th birthday.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I want to restate that the underlying bill restricts the veterans preference in the hiring that exists now. Under current law, all veterans are given preference in hiring at the TSA. Under the underlying bill, it would be restricted to those veterans who had a rank of O3 or less. Only they would get preferences. I don't think this is where this Congress wants to go. Mr. Chairman, I oppose the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment. Here is another example of a messaging amendment that doesn't fix the veterans' hiring problem in the underlying bill. All this does is restate the veterans preference language in title 5. It does not restore the full veterans preference that exist under current law. I don't understand why the majority keeps restating this instead of fixing the underlying bill and allowing the veterans preference--which is broader--to remain in place without the impediment imposed by this underlying bill. So, Mr. Chairman, I oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, my friend and colleague from Mississippi is right about part of what he said, that is that if you talk to TSOs throughout this country, they are grossly dissatisfied with their pay, and rightfully so. We have not done our job in Congress to adequately fund the TSA to pay them better. The TSA wants to increase their pay. Under current law, they have a lot more capacity to raise their pay. If we move them to title V, that pay is capped. My friend from Maryland is absolutely right in his desire to want to help the TSOs. This underlying bill doesn't do it. We need to get with our appropriating brothers and sisters and urge them to fund the President's 2021 budget which does provide the money that would allow TSOs to be properly paid and not capped. I remind everybody that it was the Obama human capital experts who had a blue-ribbon study that recommended that we not move the TSA employees back to title V because it would, in fact, cut their pay and limit many of their benefits. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is a sense of Congress articulating support for the underlying bill, an underlying bill which I have made clear over the last 2 days would reduce pay and benefits for our TSOs. That is unacceptable. We should be trying to increase their pay and benefits and their flexibility rather than trying to cap it by moving into title V. I can't support this amendment because I don't support the underlying bill. There are many of us who feel that way, who care very deeply about TSOs being compensated better and given better benefits, so, for that reason, I oppose the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.