Adrian Smith

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5613 to once again delay enforcement of supervision requirements on critical access hospitals. It has unfortunately become an annual ritual for us to pass legislation to block this arbitrary regulation which requires a physician to be on-site and present for the administration of most procedures, no matter how basic. As a condition of participation in the critical access program, a facility must have 25 or fewer beds, be distant from the next closest hospital, and have a physician on call and available within 30 minutes. The individuals who practice at these facilities, including doctors, nurses, physician's assistants, and nurse practitioners, have a very strong understanding of what care can be safely provided in their critical access setting and which cases should be transferred to a larger facility. However, CMS' efforts to accommodate the concerns of rural providers hasn't been to empower these professionals, but to create a limited list of procedures which can be done without a physician on-site. For this reason, I appreciate the chairman and the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Jenkins) for working with me to incorporate language into this bill, which requires MedPAC to report on the economic and staffing impacts of these regulations on rural hospitals. Based on discussions I have had with hospitals across Nebraska's Third District, I expect MedPAC's findings will make a strong case for repealing this regulation outright. I urge passage of this bill, which is vital to communities across rural America.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 515, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Amendment No. 20 Offered by Mr. Takano

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, today I honor eight individuals and businesses from Nebraska receiving the 2016 Third District Excellence in Economic Development Award. Throughout the 75 counties of the Third District, entrepreneurs and innovators are working hard to grow opportunity in our state. In May, I called for nominations for individuals, businesses, and organizations which have helped strengthen their communities. All of the nominees have shown they are striving to ensure a strong economic future for Nebraskans. Aulick Industries in Scottsbluff, owned by the Aulick family for three generations, employs approximately 100 people in welding, fabrication, tire installation, laundry, auto body tech, decal design, and administration. The company is also involved in Scottsbluff Public Schools' Every Child, Every Day, Everywhere initiative with a goal of introducing students to opportunities in manufacturing and technology careers in the region. Brent Comstock of Auburn has owned BCom Solutions since middle school. His technology business has grown to include computer repairs, IT management, software development, and web design. Brent headquartered BCom Solutions in a previously vacant storefront in Auburn and encourages his staff to give back to the community through nonprofit and community board involvement. He donates thousands of dollars in design and digital marketing services to nonprofits and offers free workshops and consultations for businesses. Brent also provides internships to Peru State College. Bruning Grocery's commitment to hard work, small-town values, and providing exceptional service and quality products has made the store a cornerstone of Bruning, a community of approximately 280 people. Its competitive prices draw many customers from surrounding towns, encouraging more Nebraskans to shop local. Owned by the Philippi family for more than 40 years, Bruning Grocery serves as a leading food supplier for local events and a major contributor to the vibrancy of Bruning's Main Street. Chais Meyer of Kearney co-owns 24 Hour Tees, an innovative shirt shop known for its responsiveness to local customers while selling products across the country and around the world. Chais is an advocate for e-commerce as a way to grow rural economies. He is also a member of Kearney's Downtown Improvement Board to help advance the future of retail and the community. Jody Augustyn is the owner of Shanti Yoga by Jody Augustyn, ERYT, based in Loup City and Kearney. In her five years in business, Jody has become known by many as a committed and passionate teacher. In addition to leading her own classes, she also certifies new instructors. Landmark Snacks, founded in April 2016 by Nebraska natives Chad and Courtney Lottman, is a jerky and meat snacks production facility in Beatrice employing 50 people. In 1994, at the age of 19, the Lottmans started out as grocery store owners and have grown their business to also include C&C Processing in Diller. Landmark Snacks surpassed its three-year growth plan in a matter of months. Pacha Soap, headquartered in Hastings, is owned by Hastings College graduates Andrew and Abi Vrbas. Founded in 2012, Pacha Soap employs 16 people in the Hastings area and sells handcrafted products throughout the country. For every bar of soap purchased, they give a bar to someone in need. The company also sets up small soap shops in developing nations to encourage entrepreneurship while supporting WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) efforts through education and donation. Sand Creek Post & Beam in Wayne is the leading manufacturer of custom-designed wood barn and barn home kits. This family-owned company employs about 50 Nebraskans and has served thousands of customers in 48 states, helping them design their dream barns. Sand Creek's production plant was destroyed by an EF4 tornado in October 2013, but owners Jule Goeller and Len Dickinson never wavered in their commitment to rebuild. The company operated out of temporary quarters until its grand reopening in summer 2014. I am proud to recognize these award winners today, and I thank them for their many contributions to Nebraska.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 440, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am happy to stand before you today as we consider H.R. 5452, the Native American Health Savings Improvement Act, a bipartisan bill that makes a commonsense improvement to current rules surrounding health savings accounts and those who get care at Indian Health Services. Generally, anyone covered solely by a high-deductible plan is allowed to make deductible contributions to a health savings account; but under IRS guidance, an individual who has received medical services at an Indian Health Service facility at any time during the previous 3 months is made ineligible from making contributions to an HSA. This practice could discourage those who rely on care that is delivered at an Indian Health Service facility from participating in an HSA. That is something that must be remedied. High-deductible health plans and HSAs are critical components of consumer-driven health care. Together, they empower individuals and families to shop around, unleashing the powers of choice and competition to lower costs and improve quality. We want to lower barriers to these types of accounts and encourage individuals who are otherwise eligible to not forgo treatment at an Indian Health Service facility simply because of confusion over when they might be able to resume contributing to their HSAs. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan, commonsense measure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 5452, currently under consideration.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5452) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit individuals eligible for Indian Health Service assistance to qualify for health savings accounts, as amended.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar), a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, the Budget Committee, and the Agriculture Committee.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would add that Representative Noem faced a similar situation with air travel and the weather. Mr. Speaker, about 20 million Americans are covered by a high deductible health plan with an HSA. These options are an increasingly popular option, and it is a popular option that many Native Americans would like to take advantage of. So let's come together and make sure that any current law practices that could dissuade tribal members from participation in an HSA-eligible plan would be reversed. I urge my colleague to join me and support H.R. 5452. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Harrison and Varedo Huwaldt of Randolph, Nebraska, celebrating their 80th wedding anniversary today, June 21, 2016. Yes, that is 80 years together. After meeting on a blind date in 1935, the Huwaldts married within a year and began their life together. During their 80 years of marriage, they have visited all 50 States, operated their own filling station and a trucking business, and enjoyed water skiing, golfing, and taking cruises together. They have three children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. They have also been active members in their community. Harrison served on the city council for more than 50 years, while Varedo served as church organist for 25 years. Now, at the ages of 100 and 99, respectively, the Huwaldt's eight- decade commitment to each other inspires all who hear their love story. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Harrison and Varedo Huwaldt on their remarkable 80 years of marriage.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise to ensure that our men and women in uniform have options on the menu when they seek nutrition in the cafeteria as they serve. Ideologically motivated activists are working to take meat off the menu in institutions across the country. There is plenty of evidence of this, and I hope that we can limit these efforts to ensure that our men and women in uniform have the choices of nutrition at their ready. Meat contains vitamins and nutrients not readily available in a plant-based diet. In fact, creatine, which supplies energy to muscle cells and aids in their recovery, is only found in animal products. My amendment does not inhibit the ability of individual servicemembers to pursue a vegetarian diet if they choose to nor does it prohibit the armed services from meeting the dietary needs of those who choose a vegetarian or vegan diet. All this amendment does is to ensure there is also a meat option available. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen).

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Chairman, I would add that my amendment actually reduces the regulation and ensures that our men and women in uniform have adequate choices at the table, at the cafeteria, wherever they might choose to eat. This does not prohibit anything. This just ensures that options are available.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King).

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. I thank the chairman.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Chairman, I would just add that the U.S. Coast Guard, although not contained in this bill, has already engaged in an agenda to remove meat from some of the menus on certain days of the week within that branch. I want to ensure that our men and women in uniform who serve in harm's way will have the options that they choose. And I would imagine that, given the health impact of a healthy source of protein being meat, we should afford our men and women in uniform that option. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 285, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 182, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, we are at a crossroads with our tax system. Our Tax Code is outdated, overly complicated, and the IRS has proven that it, in and of itself, is in need of serious reform. Here is an opportunity for us to work together. From the opening remarks of my colleague across the aisle, I am not sure if that is an attitude of cooperation, but certainly this is a bill we can work together on, I would hope. Our Tax Code was last updated in 1986, a generation ago. It is increasingly burdensome in this global 21st century economy. American taxpayers need a simpler code that they can easily comply with. Finally, they deserve an accountable and consistent IRS which provides exceptional taxpayer customer service. It is long past time for the status quo to change on these problems. We need tax reform. This is why I stand in support of my colleague's bill, the Ensuring Integrity in the IRS Workforce Act. The legislation would prohibit the IRS from rehiring any individual who was previously employed by the IRS, but fired for cause. This is inconsistent and unacceptable behavior from an agency which requires the highest standard of tax compliance from taxpayers. The IRS should apply the same rigorous standard inside the agency itself. Mr. Speaker, I wish we didn't need an act of Congress such as this, but, apparently, we do. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this bill.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. I don't want innocent people to be hurt. And with what has taken place at the IRS, I would hope all of us would agree it is unacceptable.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. I yield to the gentleman from Oregon.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I want to point out that most folks in this room today and right now understand that there is an effort underway to pursue tax reform, to make our Tax Code simpler, easier to enforce, and to actually prevent the need to even pass legislation such as the IRS OWES Act. Until such time, we need legislation like this because it will bring much-needed transparency to an agency with a proven track record of poor management. The IRS' offenses include targeting taxpayers and irresponsibly directing resources away from its core function of taxpayer services, resulting in the abysmal 2015 tax filing system. It has probably been said in this room before, but this simple bill would subject IRS user fees to congressional oversight by directing them to the Treasury's general fund and subjecting them to the congressional appropriations process. In 2014, the IRS only used 44 percent of its user fees account on taxpayer services. Last year this number dropped significantly, with the IRS using only 10 percent of its user fees account on taxpayer services. American taxpayers all over the country felt the pain of that choice last year. Our tax system depends on voluntary compliance. Poor taxpayer assistance like the IRS provided last year would likely encourage taxpayers to perhaps cheat and actually make it more difficult for taxpayers to even comply. According to a GAO report, last year only 38 percent of callers wanting to speak to an IRS representative were able to reach one. This is unacceptable from an agency whose core function is revenue collection. H.R. 4885 will strengthen congressional oversight over the IRS not by limiting funding, but by ensuring the IRS uses its funding for its core functions of revenue collection and taxpayer assistance and not for unrelated purposes, which make it harder for taxpayers to comply with an already complicated Tax Code.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Well, I don't have the actual definition at the top of my mind. But, clearly, the IRS has chosen priorities--some over others--that I think----