Scott Rigell

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. I would like to thank my fellow Virginian, Chairman Goodlatte, for his leadership on the underlying bill. I also want to thank Mr. Graves, the chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, for working with me and my staff on advancing my amendment. Madam Chairman, I think my amendment is noteworthy first for its brevity, as it is only 14 words long in total, yet it packs a powerful and much-needed punch because it addresses a central issue to job creation, which is a shared value and a shared objective in this House: increasing access to credit and, in some cases, not prohibiting access to credit. This is not a theoretical issue for me. I have been a businessman for 30 years and an entrepreneur for about 23 years, and I know the great joy of looking into an applicant and fellow American's eyes and saying these incredible words: ``You're hired.'' Those are life-changing words. One of the reasons that I could say those words to those who applied at our company was that a local lender, a small local bank, was able to lend me the money I needed to start my business and to grow my business. Yet those very same small lenders--those small banks in Virginia's Second Congressional District--are reeling. They are reeling from waves of new regulations, nearly all of which are overly burdensome and so many of which are not needed at all. They should never have been written. The result is that some banks are hiring, but they are not hiring loan officers; they are hiring compliance officers. From my own experience, Madam Chairman, and from my own deliberate and intentional listening to the small businesses and lenders of Virginia's Second Congressional District, I have come to a conclusion which is clear, which is irrefutable in my mind, and which is deeply troubling. That is that the actions of this body collectively and of the administration have made it more difficult--not easier but more difficult--for small businesses to get the credit they need to grow their businesses and to hire more people. This cannot be reconciled with the words that President Obama shared in this very Chamber in his State of the Union speech in 2012. It was a statement that should have been the basis for common ground. He noted correctly that most new jobs and businesses, like my own, were created in startups and small businesses. He said this: Let's pass an agenda that helps small businesses succeed. Tear down regulations that prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from getting the financing to grow. H.R. 2804 does just that. It is a significant and meaningful step forward in that area. That is why I have come to the House floor this evening. What a privilege it is to be here, to be a strong voice for the hardworking men and women across this country who are laboring under an increasing level of burden from the Federal Government--one that should get out of the way, yet it continues to put roadblock after roadblock after roadblock in the way of hardworking Americans who are trying to create jobs. They have mortgages on their homes. They have signed these loans personally. I understand the burden and the challenges that are faced by small business owners. One reason I sought this office was to be as strong a voice as I could be for those who, if you unleash them, are the most powerful job-creating engine the world has ever known--small business owners in America. That is what H.R. 2804 does, and I think my amendment strengthens that. I appreciate the opportunity to speak in favor of this, and I ask my colleagues for their careful consideration of my amendment because I think, in doing so, they will vote in the affirmative. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 2804 and for my amendment. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RIGELL. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to be here this morning and to share with you and our colleagues the story of an exceptional American, Ron Miller, who I am proud to say lives in Virginia's Second Congressional District, the district I have the privilege to serve and represent. Ron is 46 years old. He had always planned to go back to school; but at age 33, his life was turned upside down. He was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS, a devastating neurodegenerative disease that progressively affects nerves in the brain and the spinal cord. It is a disease for which, at present, there is no cure. Ron is paralyzed from the nose down; yet he used eye-gaze computer technology to complete his associate's degree in liberal arts, with honors, in a bold and courageous effort to bring attention to ALS. They have a wonderful staff at the Lake Taylor transitional facility where Ron lives, and where the graduation ceremony took place; and I saw tears coming down several of the staff members' eyes as they watched Ron receive his degree. Actually, the president of Excelsior College made the effort to fly down to be with us that day. I was deeply honored to be there and to have the privilege of sharing the commencement address, but it certainly wasn't my words that inspired everyone who was there. It was Ron's words that he shared through his computer. He didn't talk about himself. He didn't talk about how difficult things are for him. He mainly thanked all of those in his life that made the degree possible. He talked about the importance of education and the importance of finding a cure for ALS. I want to share just a small portion of what he shared that day. I watched his eyes as they guided the cursor on the screen to the ``play'' button. When he hit it with his eyes, it actually started the computer to speak. He put it this way: I ask that you all bear with me as I stumble my way through this. At least I can blame the computer if I mispronounce anything. That got a laugh there. He has got a great sense of humor. He said: Thank you for ensuring I started each class not as a disabled person, but as a differently abled person. He thanked all the nurses and the nurses' aides there. He said: You are my heroes. First of all, it takes a lot of work for me to look this good. He has a great sense of humor. He thanked his family and his friends for their love and support. Speaking of life, he said: It isn't always easy--but life never is. I just have a different set of challenges than most. He left us with this quote by John Wooden: Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. Powerful words. To me, Mr. Speaker, Ron's courage and his remarkable achievement represent the very best of the American spirit and the human spirit. It is a strong heart that chooses to be grateful for life's simple blessings, one that values the gift of friendship, one that embraces the pursuit of knowledge, and one that does not rest in a relentless pursuit to lessen human suffering, especially for those who will follow. So I really count it as a high privilege to know Ron and to count him as a friend. He is fulfilling his mission to ensure that Americans are educated about the challenges that those with ALS face. He has also shown us what a person with ALS can accomplish. He and many others who are heavily burdened with ALS, and their families, are calling attention to the need for improved access. We have a wonderful facility in Virginia Beach that is a tremendous asset for those who are afflicted with a disease that affects their physical mobility and that includes many of our wounded warriors. It is JT's Grommet Island. It is right there on Virginia Beach, really the first on the east coast that allows people that are mobility impaired to get down and experience the joy of being on the water and the sun and the sand and just being outside. There is a lot more work to be done, and I am so proud of our friends, Bruce Thompson and others. His son, Josh, is afflicted with ALS, and he led the effort to build that facility that I just mentioned there. It is called JT's Grommet Island, and it is named in honor of his son, Josh, who is struggling with this, and his family is as well. I just want to close my comments today with great respect for those who are struggling with this disease and to share with you something that Ron has said about his struggle. It is an outlook on life that I found profound and inspirational, and I posted it in my home where I see it every day. He said this: ``I may have ALS, but ALS does not have me.'' So, Mr. Speaker, may Ron's remarkable achievement and the spirit that he exhibits in his life inspire all of us to join him in this worthy fight to find a cure for ALS.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Albert Caswell, who has written a poem in honor of Staff Sergeant Jonathan Dozier of the United States Army. Staff Sergeant Dozier was killed in Sinsil, Iraq on January 9, 2008, while serving his country. He was a highly decorated soldier, earning the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his heroic sacrifice and for his commitment to his fellow Americans. He is survived by his wife Amy, their daughter Emma and his sister Jennifer. As we come upon this holiday season, may we remember Staff Sergeant Dozier and his family, as well as all our veterans and military personnel who have sacrificed so much for this great nation. Dear Jon

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to Chief Petty Officer Michael A. Nelson, United States Navy, on the occasion of his transfer from the U.S. House of Representatives Liaison Office for the Department of the Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs, while serving as Legislative Chief. I, and many other members of this chamber have had the pleasure of working with him over the past four years, and I am honored to commend Chief Nelson's achievements and recognize his service and devotion to our great nation. Every day he served in direct support of not only the Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs, but every Member of Congress. His keen abilities in organization, interpersonal relationships, and communication were extremely critical to the successful accomplishment of the Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs mission of serving the U.S. Congress. While serving in the Liaison office, Chief Nelson routinely turned broad guidance into action, which energized the Office of Legislative Affairs and Members of Congress alike. His actions allowed the Navy to engage Members of Congress and their staffs, directly facilitating the increased emphasis on improving congressional relationships. During Chief Nelson's tour, he accomplished the full spectrum of the Navy's legislative mission. He exemplified the candor and knowledge that we have come to expect from the Navy and he played a key role in maintaining superb relationships between the Navy and the House of Representatives. Throughout his tour, Chief Nelson effectively responded to several thousand congressional inquiries, many of which gained national level attention. During his time on Capitol Hill, Chief Nelson successfully planned, coordinated, and escorted over 50 international and domestic congressional and staff delegations. His detailed coordination with foreign government officials, U.S. State Department, and senior military officials ensured that each delegation was conducted professionally and flawlessly. His attention to detail and anticipation of requirements allowed Representatives to focus on fact-finding and gleaning new insights to make informed critical decisions to support the interests of the people of the United States. He has made lasting contributions to the House of Representatives and for that I am eternally gratefully. I wish Chief Nelson continued success and fulfillment as he transitions to his next duty station. His loyal dedication to duty reflects the highest standards of Naval Service.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a first for Accomack County, Virginia, in the 2nd Congressional District which I am honored to represent. On August 4, 2013, the Accomack County Department of Public Safety promoted Fire Medic II Nicholette P. Steffes, to the rank of Fire/EMS Captain, the first female Captain ever in the service of Accomack County. Nicholette joined the Department of Public Safety in 2007 as a recruit fire medic, another first for Accomack County, and after completing her fire training at the Eastern Shore Regional Fire Training Center, and earning her EMT basic certificate, Nicholette began her service as a Fire Medic. After several years of intensive training and course study, much of this on her own time, Nicholette completed her National and Virginia certification as a Paramedic in 2012. Mr. Speaker, the Accomack Director of Public Safety, Mr. Jeff Terwilliger, should be commended for his leadership and dedication for providing Accomack County with a first class and effective Department of Public Safety. Nicholette is to be congratulated for her hard work, dedication, and achievements in the service to the residents of Accomack County. I am proud to represent the dedicated men and women of the Department of Public Safety, Accomack County Virginia, whose motto is ``Together We Make a Difference."

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this, the people's House, to pay tribute to, to honor, and to remember the lives of 32 American heroes. Next Tuesday is August 6, and it is the most sobering anniversary in the district I have the privilege to represent. It was on that day in 2011 that enemy fighters in Afghanistan shot down a Chinook helicopter, killing 5 soldiers, 3 airmen, and 24 Navy SEALs. This tragedy marks the heaviest loss of life for our elite Navy SEAL community. The warriors we lost that day were loving husbands, devoted fathers, brave sons, selfless patriots. While their families struggle with the loss of their own personal hero, our Nation stands with them, and the good folks in Virginia's Second Congressional District stand with them, as well. Mr. Speaker, men and women have sacrificed for this country at a high cost. I have wrestled with this question, and I do not know why providence calls upon some to give so much, including in cases like this, for young men or young women to give the full measure of sacrifice in defense of our freedom. But I do know this, Mr. Speaker: I know the duty we have to the fallen, and that's to honor and to remember them and to care for their families and to meet our obligation today in this place and across this great land and press on for the freedom and liberty that they indeed gave their life for. So it is with reverence and respect, Mr. Speaker, and sincere appreciation from one American to the families of the fallen that I will now read the names of these Americans whose lives were taken that day in defense of our country. These are Navy servicemen killed August 6, 2011: Jonas B. Kelsall Louis J. Langlais Thomas A. Ratzlaff Craig M. Vickers Brian R. Bill John W. Faas Kevin A. Houston Matthew D. Mason Stephen M. Mills Nicholas H. Null Robert J. Reeves Heath M. Robinson Darrik C. Benson Christopher G. Campbell Jared W. Day John Douangdara Michael J. Strange Jon T. Tumilson Aaron C. Vaughn Jason R. Workman Jesse D. Pittman Nicholas P. Spehar The five soldiers killed that day: David R. Carter Bryan J. Nichols Patrick D. Hamburger Alexander J. Bennett Spencer C. Duncan And the three airmen killed that day: John W. Brown Andrew W. Harvell Daniel L. Zerbe Mr. Speaker, as these families continue to struggle with their loss, we continue to pray for them, asking that God will give them a special measure of grace and peace on this day and the days ahead.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor this morning to call for a change in the House calendar. Mr. Speaker, leaders set priorities. They identify the challenges and opportunities that face their organization, then they assess them and put them in the right order, and then they align their organization's calendar to make sure that those top priorities get addressed. That's what the American people rightfully expect of each of us. Overall, our calendar and the priorities of the House are right on track. I'm so proud of the legislation that we've passed that would move America to energy independence and create hundreds of thousands of jobs. But in one very critical area we're seriously off track. Our calendar does not reflect the challenges and the top priorities of our country. Specifically, we're not on track to pass all 12 appropriations bills that fund the Federal Government for 2014. The fact is, we're not even close to passing those bills. And with our current congressional calendar, I cannot possibly see a way that we can pass those bills by September 30, which is the end of the current fiscal year. This is not without consequence. It damages our economy, job creation. It damages our military in a very real way. And ultimately, it hurts hardworking American families. Now, let's look at the status of the 12 bills, and then look at the time that remains on the congressional calendar to debate and pass those bills in time to avoid what's referred to as a continuing resolution. And make no mistake here. A continuing resolution is wholly inadequate as a financial vehicle to fund this government. It has serious adverse consequences, and that's why this topic merits the careful attention of this body, and that's why it merits a change in our congressional calendar. Well, here are the 12 bills that must be passed. We've passed four of them. Well, that leaves eight. My math's pretty good--there are 12 bills, 4 have been completed. Now, they're not past due right now, but they surely will be, at least some of them. As I mentioned, this has serious repercussions. I've spent a tremendous amount of time in our district listening to the hardworking men and women who keep our country safe and those who support them. Every time we pass a continuing resolution, our military reels with uncertainty. We have a deep obligation to the young men and women around the world who are keeping this country safe to use every dollar wisely to ensure that we get the very best equipment and support to each of them. That's why I feel so strongly about this issue, and it burdens me when we fail the American people in this respect. Well, let's look on at the calendar and see what we've got to work with here. Mr. Speaker, we have 15 calendar days. They're indicated right here in the teal green color. These areas here represent constituent work periods. I work really hard in our constituent work periods. I know that every Member here does. It's important that we're in our districts. There's value to that--to listen and to be accountable to the good folks who sent us here. That said, a principle function and what the American people are expecting of us is that we pass these 12 appropriations bills. So if what is referred to as the August recess is brought to this body for a vote, I will vote ``no.'' I'll encourage every Member of this body to vote ``no,'' Democrat and Republican. When an organization is facing profound challenges, you do what you must do to set it on a better course. It may be House tradition to break, but I submit that it's not wise. Mr. Speaker, I really believe we ought to be in session 6 days a week, starting at 8 a.m.--earlier, if it were up to me--and then end around 7 p.m. Six days a week. I'm convinced that just that pressure alone would help us to find some common ground that I know exists in this place. That's why I call for a change in the calendar.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. RIGELL. Don't want to. Thank you for the clarification. Mr. Chairman, by any measure, we won't and have not and will not fail those people because we have sacrificed so great a measure of treasure and loss of life. We have met every obligation to the people of Afghanistan. And look, our principle and primary and exclusive obligation, of course, is to the American people. The best indicator of future performance is past performance. We have not demonstrated competence, as much as we've tried and good people have given their all. In fact, some of our civilians at USAID, as we all know, have given their life in this effort. But we have not demonstrated a competency to advance these projects, and here are the facts on the economy. The entire revenue stream for the Afghan government is about a billion dollars a year. We've raised up a military operation there, the Afghan army and police, the largest employer by far in the country, that has an annual expenditure of about 7 or $8 billion. Look, the math doesn't work. We've created a structure here that's going to require, absent some difficult decisions, a sharp reduction of expenditures there. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RIGELL. I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. RIGELL. I appreciate the comments of both of my colleagues. I certainly don't agree with them. However, if I understood the gentleman correctly who led in opposition, and I do want to get this right, and I will yield if I don't get it correct, but I made the notes here that the gentleman said we have failed the nation, the people of Afghanistan.

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise to speak in support of my amendment, which would prohibit any of the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund to be used to begin new infrastructure projects. There are a host of amendments that will address current projects. That's not the focus of my amendment. My amendment is focused on new projects. Mr. Chairman, I have in my hand the summary of an audit provided to Congress on July 12, by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. It contains key findings that really make the case that my amendment is needed. The opening paragraph states this: More than 10 years after international intervention in Afghanistan, the U.S. Government, the international community, and the Afghan Government continue to face challenges in implementing programs to build basic infrastructure. That's certainly consistent with what I observed firsthand during my trip to Afghanistan. It goes on to say that five of the seven infrastructure projects for fiscal year 2011 are up to 15 months behind schedule. USAID, the lead agency of this effort, certainly doesn't need to be taking on new projects when it can't get control of its current projects. Really of far more importance and what is so deeply troubling, Mr. Chairman, is what is stated at the close of that same paragraph: In some instances, these projects may result in adverse counterinsurgency efforts. Let that sink in, Mr. Chairman. The Inspector General is making clear to us that the American taxpayers' dollars may be funding infrastructure projects that actually work against our counterinsurgency efforts. It goes on to state the two reasons why that might occur. First, these projects create an expectations gap among the affected population; second, they lack citizen support. Look, even the Afghans don't want some of these projects. The harsh reality is this, Mr. Chairman: while we're furloughing hardworking Americans who work alongside and support our men and women in uniform, we have poured not millions, but literally billions, $89.4 billion, in reconstruction efforts really into a cauldron of graft and corruption. It's not the way to spend America's tax dollars. Mr. Chairman, it is time to stop building infrastructure in Afghanistan. Finally, the Inspector General's report makes clear that we are building infrastructure that the Afghans cannot possibly maintain and sustain. They don't have the money, and they won't have the money. Buildings will deteriorate. Generators will run out of fuel. Lights will go out. Yet we keep building. We keep adding to the national debt. Look, we're hiring Afghans and laying off American workers. This doesn't make any sense, Mr. Chairman. It's time to stop building infrastructure in Afghanistan. That is why I urge my colleagues, both sides of the aisle, to look carefully at this issue. I believe that will lead to a vote for my amendment, which will prohibit any of the Afghanistan infrastructure funds be used to begin new infrastructure projects. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RIGELL. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. I thank the gentleman for yielding initially. I thank him for his leadership. I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment Offered by Mr. LaMalfa Mr. LaMALFA I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. RIGELL. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.

Mr. RIGELL. I rise to enter in a colloquy with the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey, the chairman of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, Mr. Frelinghuysen. Virginia is proud to be home of one of the Department's flagship national labs in nuclear physics, the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, or JLab, located in Newport News, and its primary scientific facility there known as the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility. In fact, the nuclear physics community so values the work at the JLab that they recommended a major upgrade to its accelerator, what's referred to as the 12 GeV project, as its number one priority in their 2007 long-range plan for nuclear physics. That upgrade has received over 70 percent of its construction funding through the tireless efforts of the subcommittee, and work is going to begin there on its commissioning in fiscal year 2014, that is, provided that sufficient funding is included in this appropriations measure. I'm really grateful that the construction funding that is provided in the bill is at the level requested by the administration. However, I am concerned that the proposed reductions for nuclear physics below the budget request could force unilateral cuts in medium energy nuclear physics operations, and that these reductions could delay the start of the commissioning of the 12 GeV project, which is scheduled to start in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014. Therefore, I'm asking the chairman if he would be willing to work with me and my colleagues in Virginia and others who support the priorities of the nuclear physics community to work towards completing this important construction project and to begin operations in a timely fashion.

Mr. RIGELL. Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. RIGELL

Mr. RIGELL. I appreciate the gentleman's argument but my deep concern about the Federal government's real commitment to moving this forward is legitimate. I urge the adoption of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RIGELL. How much time do I have remaining, Mr. Chairman?

Mr. RIGELL. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I appreciate the gentleman's argument. I certainly don't agree with it. The concern that we have--that I have personally--is that the administration's willingness to keep the tempo and the cadence of this whole process going forward is real. And if I approach this with a great sense of urgency, it's because people are hurting. We need to diversify our local economy. This bill that the underlying bill supports could create 18,000 jobs in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia alone. I so appreciate the full support that we have, in principle, from Senators Warner and Kaine on this very issue. This is a commonsense, common ground, overall initiative to grow revenue that we need for better roads and healthier schools in an environmentally responsible way, moving forward with coastal Virginia energy. Our Governor supports it. Our general assembly supports it. Our two U.S. Senators support it, in principle. I ran on it. And it has the support of so many different groups, including the local chapter of the NAACP, the chambers of commerce. It's just a wonderful and, frankly, diverse group of coalitions that has come together to say this is what is best for Virginia and job creation. We need to move forward with this. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RIGELL. How much time is remaining?

Mr. RIGELL. I thank the chairman for your leadership on this bill. I yield 1 minute to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman).

Mr. RIGELL. I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. RIGELL. I yield myself 1 minute. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment to H.R. 2231, which requires the administration to complete its Atlantic Environmental Impact Statement by December 31 of this year, which will pave the way for us to calculate new estimates of the tremendous energy potential that's off our shores. It's been 30 years since geological and geophysical studies, including seismic studies, have been conducted in Atlantic waters. Those studies used outdated technology, and our current estimates for the energy that is out there are surely inaccurate. And I believe they're low. For example, we collected five times more oil from the Gulf of Mexico than the government estimated to be there in 1983. The study also will allow us to move forward with a critical component of renewable energy--and that's wind. So for all those reasons, the administration must stay on track here and issue its long-awaited environmental impact statement--and do that on time. And that's what my amendment ensures happens. It should move forward with energy production and, most importantly, job creation, using the best science available.