Pete Sessions

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is not without notice to the American people that the discussion may be on great economic policy that is working for people, we are attacked here in Washington on the floor, and then the subject changes to something else, rather than the overwhelming evidence of how we are doing. Mr. Speaker, there was a discussion I put in the Record, that New York Times article about those at the very bottom who had been left behind before, under the previous administration's tax increase, to where they lost jobs because we lost jobs in America with the massive spending spree that took place by President Obama and the Democratic Party. I am pleased to report not just what was said on August the 18th by The New York Times, but even today. African American and Hispanic unemployment rates are at some of the lowest rates that they have ever been. The Bureau of Labor Standards even passed out a report about the weekly unemployment claims. Those are the claims where people who were seeking jobs, we count those up across the country. They are at the lowest rates since 1969. That means, even though we have a larger amount of people in the country, a fewer numberwise--not percentage, numberwise--are seeking unemployment compensation. Mr. Speaker, it is working. There is success in the marketplace. What Republicans did is so good that we want it to continue, because people who have their jobs tend to want to protect those jobs. But the protection of the jobs is being done by this administration to make sure that we can sell more of our products overseas. About 40 percent of everything made in this country is made for export. We are for a larger export market. We are for jobs in this country. Over $50 billion has flowed back into the United States from overseas as a result of what we did last December 18 with the tax bill. The overwhelming success of people back at home, wherever we are from, is apparent. They are working. They have got an opportunity. Their savings are increasing. All over my hometown of Dallas, Texas, there are companies after companies after companies after companies that have reinvested in their businesses to make sure that not just ergonomics or new ways to mechanize are employed in their businesses, but, actually, many companies paid, doubling down the amount that they had contributed to a retirement fund or to a 401(k) or to giving company stock or, as in the case of many companies in Dallas, gave a $1,000 bonus and then said to the employee: For the $1,000 bonus I give each of the employees, I want you to know we are going to reinvest in making our business up to date and better, too. So, Mr. Speaker, no wonder--no wonder--the other side, as they come to the table today with an equal opportunity for time, changes the discussion point to something that is extraneous from how successful this tax bill has been. So we will stand here until the end of our time and say: We need to make it permanent because it works. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity for all the lawyers in the House on the Democratic side to come down and argue their case, but I would politely disagree with them. The way you save this great democracy is by making it economically sound and powerful and prepared so that we can pay for this government, so that we can understand that America's greatest days lie in our future, so that we can understand it is the American people who want and need to make success, that they want their dream to succeed, not just the government. What we are hearing today is they have abdicated this debate today from what was an economic debate all the way to a political debate. Economics, you see, has that side of it where people can see what works and what doesn't work, and that is why they have abdicated this fight today on the floor. The fight that they thought they were bringing is not about the success or failure of this; it is about another issue. Mr. Speaker, the bottom line is that America is economically stronger. We have more people working today than in the history of the country. There are companies that are making money, and there are employees who are making money, and there are employees who are successful. When that happens, Mr. Speaker, you get an increase in take-home pay, and that is also what Republicans understand about what we have done: an increase in the amount of take-home pay to where the American people gain benefit not just for their hard work, but for their families; to pay for their families to be able to go to a Boy Scout outing; to make sure they are prepared to send their children to school, so that they can pay themselves, not looking to the government to make the payment for them; not looking for a handout, but, rather, making sure that people have the dignity of work, the dignity of opportunity, an honest day's work, an honest day's pay, an opportunity for the free enterprise system, the American Dream, to work. That is what we are talking about today. We are talking about the success and the limiting success. And the limiting success is, if we make these tax policies permanent, it creates an opportunity for wiser choices, wiser decisions, wiser long-term attributes of success, not for the government, but for the American people. And that is what the debate is on this side: helping the middle class of this country to achieve a strong footing to where they can make their American Dream work not only for them, but for their children and grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the frailty of the arguments from my opponents is staggering. The newest report out, ``the ACA healthcare market stabilized nationwide for most customers,'' and yet we are told we are not even funding it. It is funded by the government. It is mandatory spending. But the good part is is that they now have an idea of who is in the marketplace and what those correct rates are, and it is stabilizing. It is stabilizing because what we have done is made the opportunity available for people to have a job to pay for their healthcare. And the ability to have a job means that you not only have a chance to pay for your car, your home or apartment, your daughter or your son's college, but you also have an opportunity to pay for your own insurance, your own healthcare, your own needs to take care of your own family. This is where we see America, right now, has the largest number of people who are employed in America. Every single economic and social indicator indicates that more people at the highest level are employed. More people at the highest level are having an opportunity to get up and go to work, a chance to make their lives and their family better. This is the essence of what we are talking about today: making life better for people, giving them a better opportunity back home to have a job that is available. In Dallas, Texas, where I am from, last week, 2 weeks ago, we had a seminar whereby people talked about and demonstrated what this economy is doing. I had several employers who stood up and said to the media, that was never reported: We have 10 jobs that are available at a starting salary of $60,000, but you have to be able to pass a drug test and you have to come to work every day. We will train you. We will do the training. We don't need the government or someone else to do that, but you have to do two things: You have to be able to pass the drug test, and you have got to come to work every day, and you have got to be able to go be willing to be a part of a team that is about your success and theirs also. What a great deal the free enterprise offers today. Instead of us begging for jobs and wishing they were here, they abound, Mr. Speaker. It is called great economics. It is called making America great again. That is why we want to make it permanent. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I have one.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of song and dance on the floor, but it is revisionist history. What some of our colleagues have forgotten is that the African American unemployment during President Obama's Presidency was 15.5 percent. It was called misery. It was called no job. It was called unemployment. It was called more government assistance. It was called, unfortunately, demise. Mr. Speaker, what we have done by passing the tax cut is to make sure that employers had an opportunity to hire employees. All across this country, there is a marketplace available to people who were ready and willing to come to work, and they have. The figures are, to us, as Republican, normal and regular. We were told by President Obama and Ms. Pelosi: ``We can't get the 4.2 percent GDP rate.'' That is right. You can't get to 4.2 because your policies and procedures won't let the country do that. We are going to be stuck in the ones. But, Mr. Speaker, what happened is that a new energy abounded in this country, and it is called optimism and opportunity and success and redevelopment of ideas to bring the American spirit back to the top. And that was, instead of Uncle Sam telling us what to do, we are getting that opportunity to have the success back home. That is why the largest number of African Americans ever in the marketplace or, thereto, the largest number of women, the largest number of Hispanics in the marketplace today. This is yet another reason, Mr. Speaker, why Republicans are on the floor talking about the economy and my friends are talking about another issue. Mr. Speaker, we need to be very clear about this. I will be asking all 435 Members of Congress, for them to see the reality and the truth of what is available back home, and that is opportunity can abound for a longer period of time with more success and more opportunity. The next chance to make sure that the contract that is won by their company or the next successful quarter or the next opportunity that they get to get a pay raise can come because we are making sure that the free enterprise system is sound and secure for the future. And that is how you save Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid: by working today and protecting American jobs. It is an effort that the Republican Party has had, will have, has today, and we can't wait to see the vote to see who is for the free enterprise system of seeing that success. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the American Dream should be available to everybody: young, old, African American, Hispanic, Native American, even those people who have come to our shores. To make America work, American business has to work. Making American business work--which is why we have business schools, why we have college-educated people, why we have entrepreneurship, why we have small business owners, why we have people who dedicate themselves to that free enterprise system--comes about as a result of their opportunity to work within a series of rules, regulations, and tax policy that is balanced. A balanced tax policy would tell you that, if you have the highest taxes in the marketplace, your opportunity levels diminish. Likewise, it would say and tell you that, if you do not pay an honest day's work for an honest day's pay, you would not have employees and would be searching to try and make up that deficit another way. Today, American business and American workers have more work than we can get done in 1 day, and numbers of orders and opportunities for our future abound. That is what we are here about also. We are here about the youngest of people who we have in our midst who are second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth grade. We are about those people who are in college, who are studying hard because they want to be a part of a workforce. They want to be part of making their dream better. But if there are no jobs, that is an indictment on this body. That is an indictment of elected officials and of an administration, many of them unelected, but who have a policy that fits their political ideology, rather than what is intended for success of people back home. Today, I am going to ask every Member of this body, and I will do it right now, to please understand that you will have an opportunity to vote to make what we have today even more successful for a longer period of time; and to grow the amount of GDP; to grow the amount of investment; to believe in the American worker; to expect the opportunity for there to be an equal marketplace share, where the employer and the employee can both gain, not only in the ability to pay their own bills, but the ability to sustain what we do. Mr. Speaker, let's not show the short side of this and talk about the negatives or the frailties or the things that really, I don't think, will come to bear, but let's talk about the success. The success is that we are going to move our stock market, as it is doing today, with the evidence that they have that we can, as a body, move our business. Just this week, we had an opportunity to do what hadn't been done for 21 years. Those pesky Republicans in the House and the Senate and our President are going to sign a bill funding 80 percent of the government to avoid not just a continuing resolution, but to get it done on time, expecting this government, in their balance, to do their job that we have entrusted them with. Today, we are taking part on the other part of that equation, to the free enterprise system saying: Keep producing jobs. Keep doing the things that small business does; whether you are in Weatherford, Texas, and own a car dealership, and you sell your product and make it available to customers back home, and you expect them to pay and your product to sell and win, or whether we expect to produce products that we sell overseas. Mr. Speaker, it is the other half of the equation. This same week that we gave 80 percent of the government, including the military and Health and Human Services, the things that they have asked for and need to produce, today, we are asking the other side of the equation, the American people, to continue fighting, continue working, continue believing, not only in your American Dream, but continue to believe that the future of this country is bright and going to be successful for you and your family. They can drown out the detractors. They can drown out people who brought a different idea to the table, because that brought us 15 percent unemployment for African Americans when we had a President who claims he was there for equality also. Equality is a job and an opportunity. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, as a matter of fact, the gentleman is correct. I will be closing for us, so anytime the gentleman chooses to do that, he may expend his time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, before I start, could you please advise me on how much time remains for me.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, the opportunity that we have to be on the floor today is about one thing. They want to make it about something else, and that is within their purview and their decision. What it is about is whether we are going to continue to have the highest rates of employment in this country; the highest and best opportunity for people to continue take-home pay increases; the opportunity for American jobs, workers, and business to have more work than we have employees for; the opportunity to take and have, all across this country, the opportunity for reinvestment; the opportunity for people to be successful; the opportunity for people who are in school today to look up and know they see a bright future. That is the way the world sees it, at least I think we do here in America, not in Washington. We might be a drug-free work zone up here, but what we have is the ability for this majority to keep pushing its opportunity for success for the American people. So this week, we took care of making sure we fund, on time, perhaps a little bit early, the government for next year. But we are also going to fund the American people and the free enterprise system. So, Mr. Speaker, what a fun day, what a great opportunity for people all across schools, and in schools, and people who work to say, one party is going to vote for me and one party is going to vote against me. I am asking every Member to do it, so that we get together on economic outlook and view. I urge my colleagues to support the rule.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate and thank the young chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, the gentleman from Austin, Texas, who has had the responsibility and the authority vested in him as chairman of the committee to make sure that we look at, approach, and correct the problems that we have at our borders. I want to thank the distinguished gentleman for his years of service not only to the Department of Justice, but to the American people and the rule of law. Mr. Speaker, every day we in Texas and around the United States deal with crime, drugs, and gangs that are streaming into the United States from our southern border. Both Chairman McCaul and I recognize that the challenge that we have ahead of us here in Washington is not only to support and defend our Constitution, but it is actually to defend people who live back home, wherever they might be in the United States. No part of the United States is safe if our southern border is not effectively taken care of. That is why we are here today with a bill that addresses this issue even further. That issue is that we must secure our borders to halt the flow of drugs that come into our country. We recognize that one of the most vulnerable piece parts that has been talked about today and that is known by law enforcement is that of the use of tunnels, which evade not only the sight of law enforcement, but take place under the secrecy of those who would intend to bring illegal drugs, narcotics, people, and other unspecified but dangerous items into this country. These tunnels are difficult to detect without sophisticated equipment or intelligence that advises law enforcement not only where they are, but how they might discover them. Said another way, cartels and criminals are one step ahead of the good guys, our law enforcement. Just last month, United States Homeland Security agents discovered a 600-foot-long drug tunnel running between a private home in Mexico and an abandoned food restaurant in Arizona. Near the tunnel, they discovered--as has been talked about here today and it is worth repeating--261 pounds of methamphetamines, 14 pounds of cocaine, 45 pounds of heroin, and almost 7 pounds of fentanyl. That is enough to have supplied over 3 million people with dosage units that could cause them not only harm, but also take their life. Working with Chairman Michael McCaul, our young chairman from Austin, Texas, I am pleased to inform you that earlier this month we introduced H.R. 6740, the Border Tunnel Task Force Act. This bill will enhance not only law enforcement--Federal, State, and local law enforcement--but also Tribal law enforcement with the ability that they need to make sure that these cross-border-related threats are taken care of properly. First of all, the task force will look at the issue and understand how these cartels and drug gangs make these tunnels, where they make them, and when they make them. Secondly, the task force will ensure that they are looking out and working together. Specifically, this legislation requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish a Border Tunnel Task Force, which would be comprised of personnel from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, known as CBP; U.S. Border Patrol; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE; and Homeland Security investigators. These groups would work together on border issues where enhanced information could be shared and law enforcement action would contribute to our border security missions. It is my hope that the establishment of these law enforcement groups will help facilitate not only teamwork among Federal, State, local, and Tribal officials, but they will also help execute coordinated activities to crack down on gangs that continue to seek ways to do their illegal trade and business along our border which places Americans at risk. In closing, I would like to once again thank Chairman McCaul and his Homeland Security Committee, its members on a bipartisan basis, and their staff for recognizing that this is a true threat against the United States of America, our citizens, and perhaps our most vulnerable, our children. Their work in protecting our country is paramount, and so I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6740, the Border Tunnel Task Force Act, a bill that will encourage, help, and strengthen law enforcement in this activity. It will protect the United States of America and protect American families from drug cartels and drug trafficking. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the young chairman for his hard work and also the gentleman from Louisiana, who recognized, on a bipartisan basis, that we must protect our homeland. Mr. Speaker, DHS's Border Tunnel Task Forces have been effective at identifying and closing tunnels through which smugglers illicitly move drugs, launder money, and other contraband into the United States. As such, I support these task forces, but would note that there are two 20-foot-high fences--or ``wall'' as the President likes to call them-- near the U.S.-Mexico border in San Luis, Arizona, the town where a tunnel was discovered under an abandoned restaurant last month. Logic tells you that when smugglers cannot easily move goods or people over or through physical barriers, they will tunnel underneath. Importantly, the measure under consideration today includes language offered by Representative Vela, the ranking member of the Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee, to require DHS to determine whether border barriers impact the proliferation of cross-border tunnels. With DHS having dedicated nearly $9 million over the past decade to remediating and countering cross-border tunnel threats, DHS needs to know whether its wall agenda is driving more illicit cross-border tunnels. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6740, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished gentleman, who spent his career not only as a sheriff, but a duly- elected constitutional Member in Florida, but also to the distinguished gentlewoman from Houston, Texas, who has served as an attorney serving the people of Houston, Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to make sure that as we respectfully address this issue, H. Con. Res. 72, which urges States to look at improved family court proceedings of child custody cases, ensuring that child safety is a top priority, it makes clear that Congress will use its oversight authority to engage in this issue also. We do not come at this issue lightly, Mr. Speaker. As a matter of fact, the Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project has provided a great deal of information, not only to Members of Congress, but by visiting the Members, making sure that they understand that their work with the Center for Judicial Excellence and the Protective Parents Association of California have made sure that they saw these issues clearly and talked to Members of Congress about our ideas, not only as we fund Federal programs, but as we understand in our discussions with States that we prioritize and help them look at what is, seemingly, a national crisis. This national crisis is about how our children are dealt with in the court system and looked at. Specifically, this is a concurrent resolution that urges States to develop family court procedures to resolve claims of abuse and family violence before making any other determination in the case, allowing courts to focus on these allegations affecting child safety independently. What did I just say? Well, what I just said is many times in court proceedings where there is a family violence circumstance, where there is stress in a family, there are examples that either side might talk about what is in the best interest of the child. And courts across this country, whether at their local court, whether a state court, we are asking them to understand that this national crisis deals with children that are being placed in a circumstance that might not be in their best interest, and it calls on States to prohibit the use of discredited or unscientific theories in their family courts. In other words, there are many times provisions in a court or a bias of a court to take one side or the other. Finally, it highlights the problems that some litigants--these are people back in their own home States--face regarding mandatory fees, and Congress is asking the States to look at these. Many times, as the distinguished gentlewoman from Houston talked about, there are fee structures which keep families from fully participating to protect their children because of the cost. This is an important issue. Tragically, millions of children are impacted in the United States of America. They call it domestic violence or child abuse, but the bottom line is that the resulting harm is lasting to our children. Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, this trauma stays with our children for some period of time and many times it lasts for a lifetime. It also imposes billions of dollars on society where these children need to be handled, dealt with, and worked through a system for them to understand what happened in their childhood would create some difficulties later in their life. Simply put, we believe that family courts need better expertise. Better expertise not only in terms of the legal counsel that is involved, but perhaps outside professionals who would address these issues. In my home State of Texas, we have had to reevaluate the circumstances, not just of divorce, but of domestic violence where a child is involved, trying to focus more directly on the needs of the child and then having that family, two sides for sure, who would come together to see what is in the best interest of that child. Family courts need to address abuse, and once again, many times it is not uncommon for them to have to address these through the frailties of a system, frailties of people who give testimony, and perhaps theories that are not always in the best interest of the child that might be proposed in court. So one story in particular has it of a young girl named Kyra who tragically lost her life at the age of 2 in 2016 while her family was going through the court system. The focus became the battle, not the child, and the child fell in between the processes and, unfortunately, the tragedy occurred because of this huge disagreement between the family to where her father brutally murdered her before setting the house on fire and killing himself. The tragedy involved, rather than highlighting the differences between these two, of the safety of the child. And the safety of the child and of the mother is vitally important. At least 653 child murders by a parent involved in a divorce, separation, custody, or visitation, child support have been documented in the United States over the last 10 years. That is a tragedy. That is a nightmare that is happening directly before us. This is why we believe that listening to outside groups, such as the Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project and the Judicial Excellence Coalition have come to Congress to say, we would like for you to see what is happening back in your States, back in your communities, back where you are from, Members of Congress, and see if you can shine a spotlight on showing how important children and women are, not just in our society, but in the court system. So what I would say is I would like to thank my colleagues, the gentleman who started this, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Congressman Pat Meehan, for his dedication to this issue, as well as my dear friend from New York, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, for her leadership as she has joined me on so many issues where we deal with women's health and women's safety, children's health, children's safety, including disabled children and people who cannot protect themselves. Mr. Speaker, whether you live in Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, or wherever you might be in this country, it is important for us to understand that the focus on children's safety in court matters is essential to the Nation's health and support for the future. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished gentleman and the chairman of the committee, Chairman Goodlatte, for allowing this to come forth at this time. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from Florida for yielding me this time.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1059 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), my dear friend, pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and the underlying legislation. The rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3798, the Save American Workers Act of 2018, and H.R. 5895, Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act of 2019. Mr. Speaker, today is quite an unusual day, not only for our Nation, but also for Members of Congress. As a result of that, I have had a discussion with my dear friend, Judge Hastings, and we have decided we are going to try to expedite that which we do today, so all Members need to be advised we might finish the process of the rule on the floor some 55 minutes early Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule and the underlying legislation. The rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3798, the Save American Workers Act of 2018 and H.R. 5895, Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veteran Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019. Since 2010, the American people have been dealing with the impacts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare. As we now know, Obamacare contains a number of provisions that have greatly impacted the labor market, the workforce, and employers of all sizes. At the broadest level, the bill created massive mandatory spending spending programs that have contributed greatly to the country's debt and financial burdens on the American tax payer. At the center of this is the employer mandate. The employer mandate impacts hiring and employees' hours because it requires employers with 50 or more full-time employees to provide health insurance and carries a specific fine for noncompliance. Under this, employees who work 30 or more hours per week are considered full-time. In addition, complex reporting requirements make the burden of this provision even greater for employers. The employer mandate requirement has resulted in employers reducing workers' hours to 29 hours per week or less in an attempt to minimize the mandate's devastating impacts. These reduced hours have caused millions of workers to receive less take home pay. The 30-hour rule does little more than discourage employment and financial stability for American workers--especially low wage workers. According to a Hoover institution study, 2.6 million Americans making less than $30,000 were at risk of having their hours and wages cut as a result of Obamacare's 30-hour rule. H.R. 3798 would give employers and workers more flexibility by changing Obamacare's definition of full-time worker from 30 hours per week to 40 hours per week and from 120 hours per month to 174 hours per month for full-time equivalents. In addition, the bill gives employers retroactive relief from the employer mandate penalty. Thus, any employer that owed a penalty for failing to provide coverage during that period would no longer owe it, a big help to some our small businesses. The bill also includes a provision that will delay the implementation of the Obamacare tax on high-cost health plans, known as the ``Cadillac tax,'' until 2023, granting employers one additional year of relief from the tax. Finally, in light of the repeal of the individual mandate penalty, H.R. 3798 removes burdensome regulatory requirements on some providers of minimum essential coverage. Mr. Speaker, this rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 5895, Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019. This three-bill Appropriations package provides funding for fiscal year 2019 in three very important categories. This bill is a product of members working across the aisle in a wonderful display of bipartisanship and I am pleased to see this body take up such an important measure. The agreement addresses one of our fundamental responsibilities here in Congress, taking care of our veterans. The bill provides $5.3 Billion above FY18 levels and ensures funding for VA medical care. It funds VA medical care at $72.3 Billion, providing for 7 million veteran patients to be treated in FY19. The bill strengthens veteran programs like mental health care services, opioid abuse prevention, suicide prevention, and rural veterans health initiatives. Additionally, the legislation continues to rebuild infrastructure for our service members and their families with $10.3 Billion for military construction projects, an increase of $241 Million. The second part of this appropriations package, energy and water, prioritizes our national security and invests in American infrastructure. The bill supports a strong nuclear national security strategy with a total $560 Million above FY 18 levels for the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons security programs. It also provides a much-needed influx of funds into our nation's water resources infrastructure by directing $7 Billion to the Army Corps of Engineers. Finally, the legislation directs a much-needed increase of $29.8 Million for our extremely dedicated and brave Capitol Police Officers. This money will ensure their safety, the safety of our Capitol complex, and the thousands of guests who visit every day. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the distinguished gentleman, his work with me is appreciated. On behalf of not only Judge Hastings and myself, really, the Rules Committee, which both of us represent, with great anxiety, we recognize, as our Members do, about the storm that is headed to the United States of America. We want to wish all the people who are in the storm's way the very best, but we are attempting to do what we can to make sure we complete our work properly. Thus, I ask for my colleagues to vote for this conference report, which will do so much to move us not only to the point where we can continue to work together, but to fund the important activities that need to take place. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues support this bill and the underlying bills. Mr. Speaker, this is a good rule and so are the two underlying bills. it has become abundantly clear that Obamacare has failed the American people. Our nation's healthcare system is broken and only getting worse. The American people are counting on us to empower individuals, families, and employers to spend their health care dollars the way they want. They are counting on us to remove the federal government from their health care and the first bill is another step in the right direction. The second bill is a wonderful example to bipartisanship--the package isn't perfect, but it is a good bill. It takes care of our veterans and our military, it provides much-needed funding for our infrastructure and our waterways, and it ensures we are providing the Capitol Police officers the funding they need. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying bills. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two wonderful Texans, Maria and Richard Stone, who are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on November 14, 2018. In addition to being a living husband and father, Richard is a decorated Army veteran who honorably served for over 25 years, including two tours in Vietnam. He then worked for the government in logistics at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. He received the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the German Army Marksman badge in bronze. Maria and Richard now reside in Frisco, Texas. Congratulations to them on this 60 years of marriage together. May they continue to love, cherish, and honor one another for many more years to come.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that managers on the part of the House have until midnight on Friday, September 14, 2018, to file conference reports.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Danny Smith, who is retiring after 36 years with the United Parcel Service (UPS). Danny currently serves as Vice President of Public Affairs for UPS. He started with UPS in Alabama in 1982, first loading and unloading vehicles then driving delivery trucks. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to the managerial track, and spent 20 years in the financial sector. He later became the Director of Logistics and Customized Solutions. This unique combination of financial expertise, strong customer relations skills, and his talent for never meeting a stranger brought him to the attention of Public Affairs after he worked with their group as a Congressional Awareness Coordinator in Wisconsin. When the VP of State Government Affairs position opened in the Dallas area, Danny was offered the opportunity to work with national, state and local political leaders across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida to further their understanding of the many roles UPS plays in their districts. On top of his many responsibilities within UPS, Danny has been involved in a wide range of organizations, which include: the Texas Trucking Association, where he is Chairman-elect of the Executive Board, Chairman of their PAC, and Vice Chairman of their Foundation, the Oklahoma Trucking Association, the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, the Mississippi Trucking Association, the Arkansas Trucking Association, the Texas Association of Business, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Mississippi Economic Council and the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the Texas Leadership Forum (``TLF'') Advisory Board of Directors. Danny holds a bachelor's degree in Business and Communications from Auburn University and currently resides in Southlake, Texas with his wife, Terri, and their two children, Connor and Emma. His son, Connor, graduated in June 2018 from Southwestern University, my alma mater, in Environmental Sciences and was an all-conference Lacrosse player. Emma is a sophomore at the University of Alabama, where she is on a full scholarship and a University Fellow in the Honors College. In honor of his years of dedication and hard work, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Danny Smith for his friendship and deep commitment to our community.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart at the passing of a great American Hero and Leader, The Eagle of The Senate John McCain of Arizona. A selfless patriot, a man of courage, faith, and conviction. With his life well led, he is a lesson to our young. Our prayers go out to him and his family as he leaves this world. As the light in The United States Senate has diminished this day, with the loss of one its great leaders and friends. I include in the Record this poetic tribute to him penned by Albert Carey Caswell. With the Faith of His Fathers (By Albert Carey Caswell) And when we were young Were we those among, Who were blessed with such a love song? With the Faith of Our Fathers in hearts which belongs Which are of our greatest of gifts So in all of this To help us grow strong To help us grow tall To get up when we fall To hold honor above all To give us the moral compass to form To help us move on To have The Faith of Our Fathers for which we all long To learn how to lead To go with Godspeed To in yourself believe And know right from wrong While, in service to Country to answer that call To nourish souls all With the Faith of Our Fathers in hearts so very warm Is our great gift to our children and theirs to pass on Is The Faith of Our Fathers so very strong, To help lead a great life long after we're gone That in hearts that lives on And John, The Faith of Your Mother was just as strong All in the examples you've set All in the challenges you've met All in what your caring reflects As you've left to this world with no regrets And John, armed With the Faith of Your Fathers look what standards you've set And what missions accomplished of which our world blessed And though you had medals of Bronze and Silver upon your chest Even greater was your heart of pure Gold To Be The Best As you John for The Greater Good yourself would neglect For Something Greater Than One's Self as you knew our Lord expects And John Heaven holds a place, for all those magnificent men like you in your grace Like that POW in that darkness all in what you faced In Strength In Honor, as you've lifted up our world to make it a better place And John the United States Senate will never forget your face As all in the sands of time John, yours is now etched And now we lay your fine body down to rest As upon the floor of the Senate what a giant shadow you've cast Leaving void, And a chasm as great as The Grand Canyon which will last At Ease my son, As one of America's Best, and a winner In the Game of Life who's won all those great quests Now rise, Rise up to Heaven with tears in your eyes, As the Eagle of The Senate has taken flight All in our Lord's arms, John, you now lie As our Lord looks into your eyes Saying, ``John in that POW camp I could not let you die'' ``As me and Bud and Orson watched over you day and night'' ``and I knew in this world you'd had so much more love to write'' ``and you would bless America and our world with all of your might'' ``As your battle on Earth is over my son'' ``But, your new battle has now just begun'' ``As an Angel in my Army of The Lord my son'' ``Now, up here in Heaven your Fathers so await'' ``With open arms, as over the years they've watched you so proudly at your heroic gait'' And on this night, we rest much easier in our beds Knowing a new Angel named John McCain watches us over head And your family will hear you on the wind And in the morning when they wake, they will feel you next to them as where you've been Watching over them time and again Until, one fine day you'll meet up in Heaven my friend And they won't have to cry no more And for a child to become whole To bring warmth and peace to their soul They need The Faith of Their Fathers to nurture and grow As a gift far more precious than gold When, armed with The Faith of Our Fathers And our Faith In The Lord Can there be nothing we can't overcome or endure And with tear in eye, John as to you we say goodbye At the Measure of This Great Man who has died Who was First in Freedom, Who was First in War, Who was First in Peace, And in the leadership he implored As you taught us how to live, and how to die Who is now an Angel in The Army of Our Lord, who Heaven depends on up on high Rise, And now we lay your body down to rest, Amen.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Sam Schmidt, who is a former IndyCar driver and advocate for the disability community. On January 6, 2000, Sam Schmidt crashed on a test run in Orlando, Florida while practicing for the season-opening Indy Racing League event. He endured a massive hit, severing his spine between his third and fourth vertebrae. Following the crash, he was placed on a respirator for five months, and life sentenced in a wheelchair, but he knew he was one of the lucky ones. Sam vowed that when he was able to leave the rehabilitation hospital, he would not forget the less-privileged patients he had met. Shortly thereafter, Sam became a team owner with Rick Peterson, to head Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. He started the foundation with a firm belief that at end of the day, he would fight to find a cure for paralysis and help individuals overcome spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders. He also formed the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, with the help of several of his closest friends, which is leading the charge to find a cure to paralysis by funding scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation, and technological advances. Fast-forward, fifteen years later, when Sam finally began to feel like himself normal again, he traded in his wheelchair for a modified Corvette that he could drive at Indianapolis Motor Speedway once again. The breakthrough was the work of a team of engineers for seven months on a special car that many thought couldn't be built, but it turned out to be a vehicle that Sam could drive by just moving his head. Sam Schmidt is not only a loving husband to his wife Sheila, and father to their two children, Savannah and Spencer, but he is determined to get back on his feet and is dedicated to helping others get out of their wheelchairs and continue to live their dreams. In honor of his dedication and perseverance, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Sam Schmidt for his tremendous efforts to assist the disability community and encourage people to find their passion.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.