Martha Roby

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. I don't understand. All of us have heard this President, this administration, say, repeatedly: I support an all-of-the-above approach to energy production. And then you try to promulgate a rule like what came out today and unilaterally announce a war on coal, a war on American families, a war on jobs in the United States of America, and what reasonable individual would put that with an all-of-the-above approach to energy production so that we can become independent in the United States of America? It makes no sense. We should hold this administration accountable for this. We, in Congress, have a job to make sure our constituents back home understand this doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense for jobs. It doesn't make sense for families. And we absolutely have to hold him to this.

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Gardner, will you share the testimony, because I've watched it, and it's really powerful. You were questioning, in the Energy and Commerce Committee, about whether there's ever--and you can tell the story better than I can because I've just watched the clip-- any connection between the number of jobs that would be affected by the regulations that come down from the EPA.

Mrs. ROBY. In the President's speech today, he basically made the case that more regulations and restraints on the energy sector, to your point, would be good for our economy and create jobs. Regulations creating jobs? I know none of us in here believe that, and I know we've never heard from one constituent who owns a business that regulations, more regulations, create jobs. And furthermore, this is the same President that tried to sell us Solyndra. And we're going to take this, we're going to take him at his word? It's really unbelievable.

Mrs. ROBY. But aren't those businesses supposed to be--I mean, they want to create product to then sell to the American people, not hire people to follow regulations.

Mrs. ROBY. So we need to say, What's the holdup? What's the holdup, Mr. President? Mr. Speaker, again, I cannot emphasize this enough. And the whole point of this hour tonight is to say, based on that information and this new war on America families and American jobs, what is the holdup? What is the deal? This is 20,000 jobs. And we're just continually seeing the President, who's for the all-of-the-above energy approach, at every corner attack domestic energy production. I just don't understand.

Mrs. ROBY. And I only like some kinds of energy.

Mrs. ROBY. And let me just say this real quick, as a reminder: Mr. Speaker, tonight's conversation is at #affordable energy. So I just wanted to remind you, Mr. Speaker, that that's where we're having this conversation tonight, alongside countless others. I just wanted to throw that in there as this conversation continues.

Mrs. ROBY. So it's a war on education as well.

Mrs. ROBY. So when it comes back to our responsibility as a Congress, this week we're going to debate and hopefully vote on the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act. This is legislation that will increase production of home-grown energy, and it will drive down costs and it will increase American jobs. What it does is it expands U.S. offshore energy production in order to create over 1 million new American jobs, lower energy prices, grow our economy, strengthen national security, and strengthen our communities by lowering our dependence on foreign oil. And the bill removes government barriers that block production of our own resources right here in the United States. You know, currently, the Obama administration keeps 85 percent of our offshore areas off-limits to energy production--85 percent. So H.R. 2231--again, we will be debating and hopefully voting on later this week--will open new offshore areas for that energy production and require the Obama administration--and again, Mr. President, who's for an all-of-the-above approach--require him to submit a new lease plan by 2015 for developing our offshore energy resources.

Mrs. ROBY. Well, I just want to thank all of my colleagues for joining this conversation tonight. And Mr. Speaker, we will continue this conversation at #Affordable Energy. But the bottom line is this: While the President continues to promote his political agenda, we here in the House of Representatives' majority are committed, as we have demonstrated time and time again, that we are committed to the all-of-the-above approach. And that this isn't, as you've heard from all of my colleagues tonight, Mr. Speaker, this isn't just a war on coal, this is a war on the American family and American jobs. We are committed to getting government out of the way so that the American family and the American business can thrive. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Madam Chair, on rollcall No. 274 I inadvertently voted ``yes'' when I intended to oppose the amendment. I would have voted ``no.'' Amendment No. 46 Offered by Mr. Courtney

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentlelady for yielding. I rise to support H.R. 1797, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This bill would at last prohibit dangerous, late-term abortions of unborn children at 20 weeks. That's the stage of development which we feel pain. And I say ``we,'' Madam Chairman, for a reason. Many supporters of this bill are taking to Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #TheyFeelPain to illustrate the brutal reality of late-term abortions. I applaud their efforts, and I appreciate the many notes of encouragement I've received from constituents back home in support of this bill. I certainly hope that they will keep those Facebook posts coming to get the word out about what we are doing here today. I use the phrase ``we feel pain'' because I'm afraid too often we speak of this issue like it's someone else we're talking about, some other species. Madam Chairman, we are talking about human beings--human beings--babies far along enough in development to feel touch, to respond to touch. We're talking about us. We were all 20 weeks at one time. Every Member in this Chamber was. We all reached a particular point of development at which the prayerful hope for life becomes precious potential and viability. These babies right now are in NICUs all over this country. Having been premature, the babies are laying in a protective environment trying to build stable breath, reaching to hold the fingers of their mommies and daddies. Yet, right now, under Federal law, other babies at 20 weeks are still at risk of being brutally, mercilessly, and painfully killed. Madam Chairman, this must end. This must end because we feel pain. I reached out just a few hours ago via Facebook, Madam Chairman, to my constituents to ask for stories about children that were born at or near 20 weeks. I want to share one. A constituent named Terry writes that her baby was born at 24 weeks, weighing only 2 pounds, 3 ounces. After struggling initially, her child grew strong and healthy. That was 19 years ago. Her son is now an adult living out west. I ask my colleagues to support and vote ``yes'' for H.R. 1797.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Madam Speaker, I rise to discuss an issue that matters to all Americans--jobs and economic growth. The story got buried with all the breaking news of last week; but last month's job numbers are in, and they aren't good. On the surface, the U.S. economy adding 175,000 jobs might sound like good news; but look deeper, and you'll see troubling indicators for our economy. Manufacturing actually lost 8,000 jobs in total. This recovery is so weak by historic standards that it has produced 4 million fewer jobs than any other recovery since World War II. Madam Speaker, this isn't real recovery. If we are going to improve this economy and create jobs, we need less government and more freedom. Every day, House Republicans are seeking solutions to grow the economy. Let's make life work for families across the country, and let's expand opportunities for everyone without expanding government.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to rise in support of H.R. 1960, and I would like to thank my chairman and the ranking member and all of the subcommittee chairmen and ranking members for all of the hard work that has gone into this bill. This is a strong, bipartisan bill that properly funds our military. It provides for our men and women in uniform and their families, while ensuring that our warfighters have the necessary equipment and provisions to continue to ensure our Nation's security. I am honored to chair the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee. I am pleased to have as my colleague and ranking member Ms. Tsongas of Massachusetts. The world has changed tremendously in the past decade. It remains a dangerous place, but in new and challenging ways. For this reason, H.R. 1960 takes into account the threats this Nation faces today and the forces that we must maintain in response. The members of the House Armed Services Committee are united in the belief that we must not return to the days of a ``hollow'' military decried by General Edward ``Shy'' Meyer 33 years ago. Indeed, H.R. 1960 addresses part of our military's current readiness crisis. It restores funding so planes can take flight, ships can sail, and our military can train at the pace and scope that's necessary. This bill responsibly responds to the global conditions, but does so within this Nation's fiscal constraints. H.R. 1960 also ensures that, as Afghan forces assume an incredibly large role in Afghanistan's defense, preserving the safety and security of Afghan women will be among our priorities. It includes important provisions so that the Department of Defense understands the lessons of Benghazi and organizes its forces to preclude or better respond to a similar attack. This year's National Defense Authorization Act maintains that the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay is being funded, operated, and managed properly; and it also provides the necessary guidance relating to Iran, North Korea, and Syria. I'm proud to represent two distinguished military installations, Maxwell Air Force Base and Fort Rucker, and I'm mindful of the important role these and all other installations around the world play in ensuring the defense of this great Nation. In light of the strong provisions included in H.R. 1960 and the collaborative, bipartisan sentiments upon which it rests, I join my colleagues in urging support for the National Defense Authorization Act.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Will the gentleman yield?

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Chairman, I would like to rise in support of the gentleman's amendment and I just want to add--and you've heard the statistics--that the number of backlogged cases--each case represents a veteran who may have earned a benefit but is currently being denied because of bureaucratic delay. In the last 4 years, the number of VA claims pending for longer than a year has grown by 2,000 percent. An award of a bonus should be a special recognition of success and accomplishment, not a right or a routine payment. Mr. Chairman, I don't consider a backlog of over 1.2 million cases to be cause for celebration or reward. I consider it a catastrophe that must be fixed. Restricting the ability to award bonuses until that backlog is cleared is a commonsense good-government policy. I'm pleased to support my colleague's amendment. It is a strong step in that direction.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize Honor Flight South Alabama and the World War II veterans. This very special organization is bringing its ninth flight to Washington, DC on May 8, 2013. I am honored to insert this tribute in the Record on the anniversary of the unconditional surrender of Germany to the allies. Founded by the South Alabama Veterans Council, Honor Flight South Alabama is an organization whose mission is to fly heroes from Alabama to see their national memorial. Nearly seven decades have passed since the end of World War II and, regrettably, it took nearly this long to complete work on the memorial that honors the spirit and sacrifice of the 16 million who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and the more than 400,000 who died. Sadly, many veterans did not live long enough to see this memorial, yet for those veterans still living, Honor Flight provides for many their first--and perhaps only--opportunity to see the National World War II Memorial, which honors their service and sacrifice. During their time in their nation's capital, the veterans will visit the World War II Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and other memorials. Mr. Speaker, the May 8, 2013, journey of heroes from South Alabama is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank them--and all of the soldiers who fought in World War II. They collectively--and literally-- saved the world. They personify the very best America has to offer, and I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to their selfless devotion to our country and the freedoms we enjoy. I salute Sid Hamilton and L.C. Malone, veterans from Alabama's Second Congressional District who made the trip to Washington. May we never forget their valiant deeds and tremendous sacrifices.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013. I thank the gentleman from Minnesota, my chairman, for all of the hard work on this bill and the committee, as well. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to sponsor this bill. And I can tell you, as a working mom, my husband, Riley, and I certainly relate to and understand the pulls on families that are juggling so much between their work life and their home life. If you talk to any working mom or dad, you'll hear them say things like, wouldn't it be nice to have flexibility to attend my son's soccer game, coach a tee ball team, take care of my aging parent, or be there to support my children at a time when one of the spouses is being deployed by our military. These are all things that working moms and dads want to be a part of. Those that have elderly parents want to be there for their parents in their time of need. We can't legislate another hour in the workday, but we sure can give moms and dads a little bit of relief when it comes to flexibility in their workplace. Under this bill, no worker could ever be forced--despite the claims of my colleagues on the other side--no worker could ever be forced to take time off, paid time off, just like no business would ever be forced to offer it. For some people, having paid time off is far more valuable than money. The problem is, Mr. Speaker, that under the current law, the private sector doesn't enjoy the same privilege to offer this benefit to their workers as the public sector does. And as my colleague was just talking about sick time, sick leave, and the benefits that we may enjoy in the Federal Government, I think that the private sector should enjoy the benefit that Federal employees have now, and that's compensatory time and the right to choose what to do with their time. Our message to Americans, Mr. Speaker, is very clear. We must get Washington out of the way of how they use their time. It is your time to choose. All existing enforcement remedies under the current law are retained; but this legislation goes above and beyond to incorporate additional protections that will prevent coercion and ensure utilizing comp time is truly voluntary, including a requirement of a written agreement, a voluntary written agreement between the employer and the employee, a cash-out provision entitling the employee to ask for their paid overtime at any time, and a provision requiring employers to be found in violation of coercion to pay double damages. I want to read--I have lots of quotes from constituents, but there is one in particular that sums all of this up. I got a note from a young lady who lives a long way from Alabama's Second Congressional District, in California; and she writes: As a kid growing up with both parents who worked, I missed a lot of time with them. I am also an only child so I didn't really spend time with my actual family. I was either in daycare or a friend's house during the 5-day workweek. And if my mom took time off, she wouldn't get paid over that time period----

Mrs. ROBY. I didn't really spend time with my actual family. I was either in daycare or a friend's house during the 5-day workweek. And if my mom took time off, she wouldn't get paid over that time period, even though she would work overtime. So when I read about this bill, I was touched and compelled to tell you that if this bill passes it really would change people's lives and help families around America. Thank you for recognizing how valuable time is to people, and for giving us an option of how to use our time. I thought that was compelling. Mr. Speaker, I think that sums up this bill in its entirety. This doesn't solve our Nation's debt problems or our deficit, but this provides some relief to working families in America, to those working moms and dads. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. ROBY. I thank my friend, Representative Gibson, for offering this amendment, which I strongly support. Let me start by highlighting a provision of the Working Families Flexibility Act that is meant to ensure this policy works today and into the future. Section 5 of the bill states: This act and the amendments made by this act shall expire 5 years after the date of enactment of this act. The intent here is clear: Congress has an opportunity and a responsibility to review the use of comp time by private sector employers and employees, if need be, to make adjustments in the law before authorizing its continued use. Even though comp time has worked well in the public sector for decades, Congress should examine its use in the private sector to make sure that workers are protected. To further support this oversight of the law the Gibson amendment would require GAO to regularly review private sector use of comp time and provide information to Congress relating to changes that might be needed. This commonsense addition to the bill will help inform Congress as it continues to oversee the use of comp time by private sector employees. The Gibson amendment is about transparency and accountability, and will help ensure the use of comp time in the private sector is a net benefit to employers and employees. Mr. Speaker, the Working Families Flexibility Act will help more Americans balance family and work. Because the Gibson amendment would strengthen this important effort, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, here we go again. My friends on the other side of the aisle are again refusing to work with us to help American families. Instead, they are spending their time taking political shots and, in fact, politicizing Mother's Day in order to do it. Despite having taken the underlying bill through the committee process before bringing it to the floor, my Democratic colleagues have made no real attempt to engage in meaningful conversations on this bill. In fact, while they originally offered a related provision as an amendment to floor consideration, it was quickly withdrawn. I guess they've decided they score more political points by waiting until now, when the process is about to conclude, than offering up meaningful suggestions during the months we've been debating this issue. Americans are tired of this game. They're tired of watching us fight each other when we should be fighting for them. That is why it is time that we pass the Working Families Flexibility Act. Our bill gives private sector employees the same choice government workers have enjoyed for decades: the choice to receive comp time instead of wages for overtime. Again, this is something that the public sector has engaged in for many, many years--decades, in fact. If it's good enough for the Federal Government, it ought to be good enough for the private sector. I'm a mom. Riley and I have two beautiful children, Margaret and George. Margaret is 8 and George is 4. I understand the pulls on working families as we balance our workplace and our home time. This is about helping working moms and dads. This is about providing the ability to spend time at home that's so needed in today's hectic time. I know this firsthand. And this is important and will provide help for many working families. This could change lives. It is time to do the right thing for working families. It is time we do the right thing for American families. Let's pass the Working Families Flexibility Act. I encourage my colleagues to defeat this motion to recommit, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. ROBY

Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to be on the floor tonight for the next few minutes, and I hopefully will have some other colleagues joining me here in a few minutes. Tonight is about making life work for American families. What are we doing on behalf of the American people here in the House of Representatives to make life a little bit easier for working families, working moms and dads? And let me just say that there are things across the board, whether it's health care issues, energy, reducing the deficit and the debt for Margaret and George, my two kids, and future generations, all of those things add up and matter. I want to talk for just a few minutes about one proposal that I have in front of the House of Representatives that's going to come up for a vote here after we return from our district workweek. But before I do that, I want to tell you, Mr. Speaker, tonight, that we're going to do something a little bit different in an effort to engage individuals in their interest about making life work for American families. I just want to say, Mr. Speaker, that if someone wants to know more about what we're talking about tonight, the hash tag on Twitter is ``makinglifework.'' We want to hear from the people that we represent, Mr. Speaker, throughout our time on the floor tonight. So I would just say to you again, Mr. Speaker, that any individual that would like to know more about what we're talking about or would like to engage in a conversation, it's ``#makinglifework.'' Before I introduce my colleagues or get engaged in this conversation, I want to very briefly talk about the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013, which is a bill designed to do just what we're talking about tonight, and that's make life work, make life a little bit easier for working moms and dads. I'm a working mom, and my husband and I, every week, sit down and figure out what the plan is. We have an almost 8-year-old and a 4-year- old, and we certainly understand the pulls on the American family in balancing the workweek and our home life and supporting our children. Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of families out there right now that would like choice in the workplace, hourly-wage employees that would like the choice in the private sector to exercise compensatory time-- that's paid time off in lieu of cash wages. Right now, under current law, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, public employers can offer to their employees that option. In 1985, the Fair Labor Standards Act was amended to allow that. Private sector employees can't. So, again, as a working mom who understands the pulls on family-- maybe that T-ball game at 4 o'clock on a Thursday afternoon or the PTA meeting that's at 9 o'clock in the morning when my daughter's class is the one leading the charge on the entertainment for the PTA meeting--if I'm an hourly-wage employee and I want to exchange paid overtime for paid time off, I cannot legally, under the law, do that with my employer. This amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act allows for the private sector to do what the public sector is already doing. Now, some of the opponents of this bill say that the big bad employer would use this to coerce employees into taking comp time rather than overtime pay. That is unlawful. The same protections that are in place currently under the Fair Labor Standards Act are the same protections that exist under our amendment preventing intimidation, coercion, and discrimination by the employer on the employee. And the most important thing about this bill is that it is voluntary. The employee is the only person who can opt to exercise this option if the employer chooses to offer it. We know that this is not necessarily an option in every line of work. For example, if there's a manufacturer with 10 employees who actually make a product, if you pull one person off the line, they can't make the product, so it may not be a fit. But for those that want to, this amendment allows for that individual to say to their employer: I would like to enter into a voluntary written agreement with you to use compensatory time, to bank up to 160 hours within a 12-month period of compensatory time because time is more valuable than money to me. And the greatest protection in this bill is if, in fact, that employee determines at any time that this isn't working, I'm not using my compensatory time or I can't find a time that works with my employer that fits, the time that I want to take off, that employee, Mr. Speaker, that employee can say: I want to cash out my compensatory bank time. So let's say they have 60 hours. They can cash out, and within 30 days their employer has to pay them time-and-a-half overtime for that banked accrual of comp time. This bill makes sense. This bill is about helping working families. This bill is about allowing that mom and dad that are balancing T-ball games and PTA meetings as well as caring for their elderly parents. This bill is about getting military families ready to have one spouse deploy, to have the flexibility to do what they need to do. This is one example about how we are making life work for American families. This bill doesn't solve our debt or deficit problem. I'm the first to admit that. But what this bill does is it eases some of the hardships on our moms and dads in the workforce, and I'm really thrilled to be the current author of this bill. It has a long history. I'm excited about taking it to the floor in 2 weeks. Again, Mr. Speaker, for those who want to know more about tonight's discussion, the hash tag is #makinglifework. We want to hear from all Americans that are affected by any of these issues and look forward to addressing those throughout tonight's hour. I want to let you know, joining me today I have the gentlelady from Washington, Jaime Herrera Beutler, as well as the gentleman from Colorado, Cory Gardner, and at this point, to my colleagues, I'd like to open this up. Cory, I know that you currently serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee, and I know you have a couple of topics that you want to talk about, but let's talk about making life work for American families when it comes to energy.

Mrs. ROBY. Right. I can tell you as the mom of two kids as well, every week when I get on a plane to come back to Washington, there is a lot of planning that goes into it. I put the gas in my car; I go to the grocery store; and when it comes to energy, I can watch energy prices affect the cost of food. One of the things that I do every week just to ease some of the juggle in our lives is I try on the weekends to cook a few things. I love to cook, and I try to make life a little bit easier by having a few things in the refrigerator already made that I do over the weekend. So usually my grocery store visit is on Saturday and Sunday. I tell folks that sometimes it can amount to a town hall. You get in the produce section and you have great conversations with your constituents. But I can see what the gentleman from Colorado is saying as the price of milk goes up. If gas prices are increasing, then the cost of food is affected. I can tell you, and your wife would say the same, thanks for helping us in your role on Energy and Commerce.

Mrs. ROBY. Sure. And I can reiterate all of the points that the gentlelady from Washington makes. And you're right. These are all things that contribute to making life work for American families. I just want to say, Mr. Speaker, as we're having this conversation, I'm getting information from folks that want to make life work. And, Mr. Speaker, I want to remind all of us in this room that we remain committed to cutting spending and reducing the deficit and getting our debt under control. This conversation really all encompasses just that. Margaret and George and all of the families represented in this room tonight, they're the ones that we want to get this under control for because, Mr. Speaker, we want this country to be great for them as it has been for all of us. But, at the same time, there are things that fall under Federal jurisdiction that we can be doing to ease the burden on American working moms and dads; and that's the things that we're talking about tonight, the Working Family and Flexibility Act of 2013, energy solutions that are out there. We're going to talk about health care and tax reform. We're joined by Mr. Young from Indiana. Thank you for coming. Please join the conversation.