Adam Smith

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time each side has remaining?

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cooper), the ranking member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo), the ranking member of the Readiness Subcommittee.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney), the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 5 minutes. I want to thank the chairman and all the staff members and members of the committee for their excellent work in pulling this bill together. As always, I think it is a fine example of how the legislative process should work around here, and too often doesn't. We had a bill before committee. We had many, many hearings to discuss the issues around it. Then we had a long markup with amendments offered and debated, and we put together a bill in a bipartisan fashion that I think was done quite well. I also agree with the chairman that there is a lot of good in this bill. There are a lot of efforts at reforming the way we do procurement and other things in the Department of Defense to try to get the most out of the money we spend. More than anything, the good in this bill is that it continues to provide for the men and women of our services who are fighting for us and protecting our national security, and I think it does a very comprehensive job of that, and that is an important issue right now. I will also agree with the chairman that we face as complex a threat environment as we have probably faced, gosh, in the history of the country. We have certainly had great national security challenges throughout our history, but now they are coming at us from all directions. Certainly, we have the asymmetric threat of terrorism from groups like al Qaeda and Daesh and all that goes with that. We have a newly belligerent Russia that is creating problems in Eastern Europe and elsewhere. We have Iran, which continues to pose challenges to us in the Middle East and also elsewhere; North Korea, that is acting in a very belligerent manner; and China, that is expanding its territory by creating islands in the South China Sea and challenging the territorial integrity of other nations. All of those things require us to be prepared and to have a robust national security policy. I think this bill does a good job of it. Now, we are facing a reckoning, coming down the road here, in that all of those national security challenges that I just mentioned are going to be tough to meet under any budget. One of the things that I would urge us to do is to work more closely with partners throughout the globe, as we have in some instances, to meet our national security challenges, because the sheer cost of them is going to be difficult. But on the whole, I think this bill does a good job of meeting our national security concerns. There are just two problems that I do want to point out. Number one, we don't really make as many tough choices as we should make in this bill. The chairman has pointed out how this bill prioritizes readiness, and to some degree that is true; but this bill also still has $11 million less in money for readiness than the President's budget that was proposed because we support a wide range of other programs. If you look over the course of the next 10 years at all of the programs that we are funding and planning on buying, and then you look at how much money we are likely to have, the two don't add up. We have to start making some difficult choices about what we are going to fund and what we are not going to fund. Related to that is the second problem, the one the chairman alluded to, and that is the fact that while this budget sticks to the $610 billion number that was agreed to in the budget resolution last year, it takes $18 billion out of the overseas contingency operations fund and puts it into the base budget, which means that 6 months into the fiscal year our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and elsewhere will not have the money to support those overseas operations unless a supplemental is passed. Now, the chairman is quite correct: this was done in 2008. But in 2008, we did not have the Budget Control Act. We did not have the complete unwillingness of this Congress to lift the Budget Control Act. I don't see that changing in the next 6 months. Which brings us to the other issue, and that is the issue of ``holding the defense bill hostage for other spending priorities, for domestic spending priorities.'' Well, that is one way of looking at it. The other way of looking at is a budget is a series of choices that you have to make. And if we do spend an additional $18 billion on defense, over and above what the budget agreement of last year agreed to, then that money has got to come from somewhere. Either, one, it adds to a $19 trillion debt that I think most people feel is too high and that we need to eventually get to the point of a balanced budget. It requires new revenue which, of course, is--you know, I should be struck down by lightning in this Chamber for even mentioning the words ``new revenue.'' That is, apparently, verboten and not going to happen. However much we may claim to support the men and women who served in our Armed Forces, we are not prepared to raise taxes for what they need to do. Then you have got the domestic choices, and those domestic choices are not irrelevant. We have a crumbling infrastructure in this country that is way behind, massively unfunded. We have other priorities. We have the Department of Homeland Security. We have Intel priorities. All of those priorities are shoved backwards if we take an additional $18 billion for defense. So we are not holding defense hostage. We are arguing about what our budget priorities should be. Should we go and take the $610 billion agreement we had for defense and effectively up it to $628 billion at the expense of all these other priorities, or shouldn't we? That is what we have to balance. I will look forward to the debate. There are a lot of interesting amendments coming up. I am not sure at this point how I am going to vote on this bill. I think it is incredibly important. We need to get it done. But those budget priorities are very real. And if we take an extra $18 billion for defense, that does shortchange other areas, given our unwillingness to raise revenue to pay for it. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez), the ranking member of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin), the ranking member of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time. I want to reiterate some of the points that were made during the debate in the beginning of how important this bill is. We do have many national security needs. I know you see the size of the Department of Defense's budget, and there are certainly ways we can save money. I think we have done that with acquisition reform and with some of the other reforms that are contained in this bill. It is also important to understand the threats that we face in the world--the continuing threat of terrorism and the continuing threats from nations like Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China. We need to be prepared to counter those threats if we are going to have a peaceful and stable world. Nonetheless, I think we still have the budget problem that I alluded to earlier, and that is that we do not have the money that we would like to have. It is not just for defense; it is for a lot of domestic priorities as well. In the way this bill is set up, it creates the possibility that we will take an additional $18 billion for defense. How does that balance against our other priorities? We have to figure out how to make our budget balance and meet the priorities domestically while also meeting the national security priorities because our infrastructure is critical to our national security as well. We have to remain strong economically as a country. In addition to that, it is not just the Department of Defense that provides for our security. There is the Department of Homeland Security, certainly, in the intelligence budget; the Department of Treasury; the Department of Justice. A lot of pieces to that puzzle are necessary, and they all get shortchanged if we don't take into account their needs as well. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Dr. David R. Stone for his contributions and years of service to the field of nonprofit community mental health. I congratulate him on his recent retirement. Dr. Stone has committed his entire career to nonprofit community mental health. For the past 27 years, he has served as Chief Executive Officer of Sound Mental Health, which is one of King County's most comprehensive mental health providers. Services provided include mental health, substance abuse, and behavioral health services to children, men, and women. Following the passage of the Affordable Care Act, under Dr. Stone's leadership, Sound Mental Health successfully facilitated the integration of behavioral health with primary care, realizing tremendous growth from this alignment. His unrelenting dedication to mental health services resulted in Sound Mental Health growing to 80- plus programs, supporting more than 20,000 people, and generating annual revenue in the millions of dollars. Dr. Stone has been an influential leader in the field of behavioral health in the community as well as all over the country for the past 42 years. He is known for his gracious manner and his strong business sense. Dr. Stone's perseverance has elevated the conversation about mental health and changed the way our community views this important field. Dr. Stone's influence has changed minds and impacted the mental health field tremendously. Prior to serving as the CEO of Sound Mental Health, Dr. Stone served as the Executive Director for Mental Health Services of Upper Pinellas and Baltimore Mental Health Systems. Dr. Stone is very active in the community. He serves on the board of directors for Mental Health Corporations of America and the Washington Community Health Council while also finding time to be an active member of the King County Mental Health Providers Association. Dr. Stone earned his B.A. in Psychology from Eckerd College, his M.A. in Psychology from the University of Florida, followed by a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, also from the University of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize Dr. David R. Stone for his admirable leadership as CEO of Sound Mental Health and congratulate him on his recent retirement. His work will undoubtedly continue to impact the mental health community for many years to come.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Carla Santorno, the Superintendent of Tacoma Public Schools. Earlier this spring, Ms. Santorno was awarded the Women in School Leadership award by the National Superintendents Association for the passion, dedication, and innovation she brings to the lives of students. The Women in School Leadership award seeks to recognize women educational administrators who excel in their leadership for learning, communication, professionalism, and community involvement. Ms. Santorno has gone above and beyond in these areas to help Tacoma School District students to succeed in life after school. Tacoma Public Schools serves more than 30,000 students from kindergarten through grade 12, and employs more than 5,000 individuals. Under Ms. Santorno's leadership, Tacoma Public Schools has been recognized by the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction as one of the state's most innovative districts and has seen important improvements throughout the system across many different areas. Graduation rates have steadily increased in Tacoma high schools, decreasing the achievement gap. The district has developed a legislative agenda and has led the promotion of the Whole Child Initiative, which seeks to systematically focus on students' social, emotional, and academic needs. As a part of this effort, Ms. Santorno has initiated meaningful relationships with over 40 community organizations and has dramatically increased parental involvement. Additionally, Ms. Santorno has increased efforts to provide transparent achievement results, develop a data-driven system to recognize each student's needs, and align the budget process with the school board's strategic accountability system. All of these innovative efforts have bettered the lives of Tacoma students and the community as a whole. Carla Santorno has committed her life to public education. She spent most of her career as a teacher, principal, administrator, and area superintendent in the Denver Public Schools before moving to Seattle to serve as chief academic officer for Seattle Public Schools. Ms. Santorno has been with Tacoma Public Schools since 2009, and has served as superintendent since 2012. The progress that has been achieved in just a few years at Tacoma Public Schools is truly remarkable and I look forward to her continued work to improve the lives of Tacoma's young people. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize Carla Santorno for her inspiring work and incredible enthusiasm. Her unrelenting dedication to the Tacoma community serves as an example of the tremendous impact one person can have.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today, Wednesday, May 11, 2016, I missed the first vote in a series of votes because I was at a medical appointment. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 182 (on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 720).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today, Thursday, April 21, 2016, I was unable to be present for the first recorded vote of the day. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 162 (on passage of H.R. 4890).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, I was unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``Yes'' on roll call vote No. 139 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1567, as amended). ``Yes'' on roll call vote No. 140 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4676, as amended).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Norman Mineta-- former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and Transportation--for being honored with the prestigious Tomodachi Award from the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington in recognition of his lifelong dedication to growing and supporting the Japanese-American community. The Japanese word ``Tomodachi'' translates to ``friend'' in English, therefore it is fitting that the award seeks to recognize individuals or groups who have, through their work, demonstrated a commitment to celebrate Japanese and Japanese-American culture and to strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Japan. The Honorable Norman Mineta has led a distinguished career in public service and is a fitting recipient of the Tomodachi Award. As a former Mayor of San Jose, California, he is recognized as the first Asian American mayor of a major U.S. city. Mr. Mineta was then elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served from 1975 to 1995. During his time as a Congressman, he co-founded the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and was the driving force behind the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which formally apologized to the Japanese American community for the injustices committed during World War II. In 2000, President Clinton appointed Mr. Mineta as the Secretary of Commerce, where he served until he was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as the United States Secretary of Transportation. Not only is Mr. Mineta the first Asian American to hold a post in the presidential cabinet, but he is also one of only a few individuals to hold cabinet positions in both Republican and Democratic administrations. As Secretary of Transportation, Mr. Mineta played a pivotal role during the chaos of the attacks on September 11, 2001. Without precedent, he made the decision to ground all civilian aircraft to ensure the safety of American lives. Following the attacks, Mr. Mineta was a major proponent of the creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and he fought against racial profiling and extra screening of Middle Eastern and Muslim passengers. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize The Honorable Norman Mineta for his relentless dedication to public service and to strengthening Japanese American culture. He continues to play an active role in engaging the relationship between Japan and the United States and serves as an inspiration for all working in public service.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mia Williams, the principal of Aki Kurose Middle School, who has been recognized as the winner of the prestigious 2016 Washington State Middle Level Principal of the Year Award. The Washington State Middle Level Principal of the Year Award, given by the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP), recognizes middle school principals who have an extraordinary impact on their students' academic success and who make great contributions to their profession. Ms. Williams stood out among a field of other highly eligible candidates. Ms. Williams has been the principal at Aki Kurose Middle School in Rainier Beach since 2008. Since that time, she has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of her students by listening to their needs and adjusting policy and procedures based on their recommendations. Under Ms. Williams' leadership, test scores have consistently improved across the board for Aki Kurose students and continue to improve due to her persistence and continued dedication to her students. Since her arrival at Aki Kurose, the student population has grown from 420 students to 700 students. At the same time, Ms. Williams has overseen a 50 percent reduction in student absenteeism and has made progress on closing the opportunity gap. She has carefully cultivated an environment where students feel supported and capable of reaching their full potential. Ms. Williams was a teacher in the Seattle School District before completing the Danforth Educational Leadership Program at the University of Washington to pursue her dream of serving as a principal. Her skills were recently recognized by the Johns Hopkins University's Everyone Graduates Center, who invited Ms. Williams to the White House to participate in a panel where she shared her knowledge about effective strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize principal Mia Williams for earning the Washington State Middle Level Principal of the Year Award. She is an inspiration to all.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Vivian Lee for her recent induction into the Washington State Nurses Hall of Fame. This a fitting recognition of her years of considerable contributions to the healthcare community. Mrs. Lee has been an influential leader in Seattle's nursing and healthcare industry for decades by demonstrating her exceptional commitment to selflessly serving others in need. During her tenure as the Program Management Officer of the federal Title X program, she helped low-income citizens receive family planning assistance, among other healthcare services, at an affordable cost. Mrs. Lee has also pioneered the way for future African American nurses to be successful in the healthcare field. She holds the distinction of being the first African American to be admitted into the University of Washington's prestigious Bachelors of Science nursing program. She was also the first African American to receive the Washington State School Nurse of the Year Award, serve as a registered nurse at Seattle's VA Hospital, and be hired by the U.S. Public Health Service. Through these notable accomplishments, Mrs. Lee broke historic ground and her example serves as an inspiration to many in our region. Outside of her impressive record in the healthcare field, Mrs. Lee is actively engaged in important community issues including civil rights, child nutrition, and women's issues. She has shown her passion for women's health by serving as the inaugural leader of the first Federal Regional Office on Women's Health, which has grown to 144 clinics nationwide that focus on women's reproductive health research and national women's health policy. Mrs. Lee has shown her passion for educating and mentoring students by serving on the UW Alumni Board of Trustees, co-founding the UW Multicultural Alumni Partnership, and chairing the UWAA Diversity Committee. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize Vivian Lee for her admirable achievements in the healthcare and nursing industries. Through her many accomplishments she has continued to improve the quality of healthcare that many people receive in the greater Seattle area.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, March 21; Tuesday, March 22; and Wednesday, March 23, 2016, I was on medical leave while recovering from hip replacement surgery and unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 130 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4314, as amended). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 131 (on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 653). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 132 (on agreeing to the resolution H. Res. 653). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 133 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4742). ``Yes'' on rollcal1 vote No. 134 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4755). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 135 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4336, as amended). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 136 (on the motion to recommit H.R. 2745, with instructions). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 137 (on passage of H.R. 2745). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 138 (on agreeing to the resolution on H. Res. 658). Personal Explanation

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, March 14; Tuesday, March 15; Wednesday, March 16; and Thursday, March 17, 2016, I was on medical leave while recovering from hip replacement surgery and unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 111 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 2426). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 112 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Con. Res. 75, as amended). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 113 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Con Res. 121, as amended). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 114 (on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 640). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 115 (on agreeing to the resolution H. Res. 640). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 116 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2081). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 117 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3447, as amended). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 118 (on agreeing to the Pallone Amendment No. 1 to H.R. 3797). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 119 (on agreeing to the Pallone Amendment No. 2 to H.R. 3797). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 120 (on agreeing to the Bera Amendment to H.R. 3797). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 121 (on agreeing to the Veasey Amendment to H.R. 3797). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 122 (on the motion to recommit H.R. 3797, with instructions). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 123 (on passage of H.R. 3797). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 124 (on passage of H.R. 4596). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 125 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4416). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 126 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4434). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 127 (on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 649). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 128 (on agreeing to the resolution H. Res. 649). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 129 (on agreeing to the resolution H. Res. 639).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. Ryan Lafferty, a teacher in the Bellevue School District who has been recognized as a winner of the prestigious Milken Educator Award. The Milken Educator Awards are bestowed upon educators by the Milken Family Foundation to celebrate, elevate, and activate excellence in the teaching profession. The award is given to teachers who exhibit exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and educational accomplishments beyond the classroom. Mr. Lafferty has been a teacher at the International School in Bellevue for six years and is highly praised for his interdisciplinary project-based teaching style, which incorporates seemingly unrelated subjects like math, history, and the arts. He has developed a problem- based curriculum for Advanced Placement Physics where students build Roman arches, projectile instruments such as slingshots and catapults, and a single-string instrument called a Diddley bow. Mr. Lafferty's classes are in high demand due to his track record of implementing creative lesson plans and for his infectious positive attitude. Mr. Lafferty is also beloved for the positive influence that he provides for his students. He makes himself available to students outside of class time if they need academic help, or if they need to talk for any other reason. He prioritizes the success of his students by regularly hosting meetings with students to determine what works in his class, and what can be improved. It is for these reasons that Mr. Lafferty is considered a role model by many of his students. Mr. Lafferty, who grew up in Redmond, graduated from the University of Washington in 2008 and received a Master's Degree in Teaching from Seattle University in 2010. He has worked with the Bellevue School District, the University of Washington and the George Lucas Educational Foundation to further develop his AP Physics curriculum in hopes of the program being implemented nationally. Lafferty is a National Honors Society advisor who serves on the school's middle and high school science clubs and travels to the state science bowl. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I congratulate teacher Ryan Lafferty for being honored with the Milken Educator Award. It is my great pleasure to recognize his dedication and service to his students and to the community.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. Kirk Adams, President and CEO of the Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., for his contributions and service to the blind community as he brings his leadership to his new role as President and CEO of the American Federation for the Blind. In 2008, Kirk became the first blind CEO and President of the Lighthouse for the Blind, an organization which provides independence and self-sufficiency through employment for people who are blind, deafblind, and blind with other disabilities. During his tenure as CEO, Kirk oversaw significant growth of the Lighthouse for the Blind's footprint across the country by expanding to eleven new locations. Each location added to the sustainability of the Lighthouse, while also empowering new groups of individuals to be gainfully employed. Prior to his executive role at the Lighthouse for the Blind, Kirk served as the General Manager of Administration and as the Director of Public Relations and Resource Development at the Lighthouse. Kirk is credited for crafting the Lighthouse's successful fundraising strategy, which has greatly magnified their range of services offered and the number of individuals who are lifted up through employment opportunities. Outside of his work at the Lighthouse for the Blind, Kirk is deeply involved in the community. He is a member of the Governor's Task Force on Disability and Employment and the Seattle Public Library's Strategic Plan Advisory Committee. He has served on the boards of the Aerospace Futures Alliance, the Association of Washington Business, and the American Federation for the Blind. He is also the former Treasurer and member of the Board of the National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind. Kirk graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Economics from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. He earned his Master's Degree in Not-For-Profit Leadership from Seattle University, and is working toward his doctorate in Leadership and Change at Antioch University. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize Kirk Adams for his admirable leadership and congratulate him on his role as President and CEO of the Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. His unrelenting dedication to the blind community serves as an example of the tremendous impact one person can have.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, February 29; Tuesday, March 1; Wednesday, March 2; and Thursday, March 3, 2016, I was on medical leave while recovering from hip replacement surgery and unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 102 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4238). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 103 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 136). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 104 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3735). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 105 (on passage of H.R. 3716). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 106 (on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 635). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 107 (on agreeing to the resolution H. Res. 635). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 108 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 1826). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 109 (on passage of H.R. 4557). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 110 (on approving the journal).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, February 23; Wednesday, February 24; Thursday, February 25; and Friday, February 26, 2016, I was on medical leave while recovering from hip replacement surgery and unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 83 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4408, as amended). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 84 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4402, as amended). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 85 (on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 618). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 86 (on agreeing to the resolution H. Res. 618). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 87 (on agreeing to the Cartwright Amendment to H.R. 3624). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 88 (on the motion to recommit H.R. 3624, with instructions). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 89 (on passage of H.R. 3624). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 90 (on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 619). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 91 (on agreeing to the resolution H. Res. 619). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 92 (on agreeing to the Beyer Amendment to H.R. 2406). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 93 (on agreeing to the Jackson Lee Amendment to H.R. 2406). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 94 (on agreeing to the Beyer Amendment to H.R. 2406). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 95 (on agreeing to the Smith of Missouri Amendment to H.R. 2406). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 96 (on agreeing to the Griffith Amendment to H.R. 2406). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 97 (on agreeing to the Ribble Amendment to H.R. 2406). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 98 (on agreeing to the Young of Alaska Amendment to H.R. 2406). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 99 (on agreeing to the Huffman Amendment to H.R. 2406). ``Yes'' on rollcall vote No. 100 (on the motion to recommit H.R. 2406, with instructions). ``No'' on rollcall vote No. 101 (on passage of H.R. 2406). Personal Explanation