Tim Walberg

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Chairman, this amendment further restricts the land that could be eligible for the production plan. It sets a vague requirement to ensure that land in the plan provides ``a fair return for taxpayers.'' The Biden administration has hamstrung our ability to produce American energy. This has had a disastrous consequence for Americans. Energy prices have skyrocketed under this administration and still remain high. We have grown more reliant on our adversaries such as Venezuela, Iran, and China for energy--dirty energy. I would argue that producing more American energy to lower prices for families is a ``fair return for taxpayers.'' I urge a ``no'' vote, Mr. Chairman, on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Chairman, clause 7 of rule XVI prohibits the House and its committees from considering nongermane amendments. This amendment is not germane because it violates the subject matter test of germaneness. H.R. 21 proposes to limit the drawdown of petroleum in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until the Department of Energy develops a plan to increase the percentage of Federal lands leased for oil and gas production. This amendment would introduce a new subject matter into the bill. Specifically, the amendment requests leases or permits issued to be accompanied by a certification. This is about permit holders, not a leasing plan. This idea should be judged on the merits in a separate bill.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 3, which condemns the epidemic of attacks on pro-life and faith-based organizations. Unfortunately, Michigan's Fifth District has not escaped these attacks. Last June, Jane's Revenge vandals graffitied and smashed the windows of Jackson, Michigan's Right to Life and my own office. It was a despicable act. The Jane's Revenge perpetrator, who has yet to be caught, even accidentally graffitied a neighbor's house, as well. Yet, this darkness presented an opportunity to show the best of our community. Volunteers from the community came out to clean up the broken glass and help board up the windows. In contrast to this positivity displayed by everyday Americans, and despite congressional efforts we have spearheaded, President Biden's Justice Department has stayed silent on these acts of domestic terrorism. Today, congressional Democrats have an opportunity to right the wrongs of this administration and join us in condemning these acts of violence as we condemn all acts of violence, as well. Volunteers at pregnancy centers who remain committed to their convictions and efforts understand they have a target on their backs. These volunteers are individuals spending their time and their money to clothe, feed, provide shelter, and minister to women in crisis. Is this the progressive America my colleagues talk about? I think not. Does their idea of progress consist of political violence targeting those who provide services to women and families? Are intimidation and violence acceptable to the Biden administration and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle? I hope not. Madam Speaker, I strongly urge support for this resolution for the benefit of lives, security, and decency in our country.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, while the baby formula shortage no longer draws as many headlines, parents are still suffering as a third of American families still struggle to find baby formula, according to recent Census Bureau statistics. Countless parents are still searching store after store in hopes of finding formula to feed their children. That is unacceptable. Parents deserve both solutions and answers. Months ago, the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously advanced my resolution calling for the Biden administration to release documents related to the recall of infant formula and potential impacts on the infant formula supply chain. Let me reiterate. This was passed unanimously in committee with support from both sides of the aisle. I am urging the Speaker and Democrat leadership to allow a full vote on this resolution immediately. We need to hold the administration accountable and ensure that this level of failure never happens again.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to what I believe is the inappropriately named Respect for Marriage Act because if what my colleagues have just said were actually all that was here, it would be a different story to some degree. But that is not what we are talking about. The bill betrays our country's commitment to the fundamental right of religious liberty by depriving religious and faith-based organizations of their tax-exempt status and depriving individual people of faith of being able to carry out fully their faith without repercussions. Licenses and government contracts are also put at risk here with this legislation. As a result, religiously affiliated and faith-based organizations will be at risk of being compelled to make hiring decisions in contradiction to their tenets. And I am not just talking about Christian religions. We are talking about all that are impacted by this. It puts us at risk for Catholic Charities' ability to find foster and adoptive homes for children in need; or a gospel rescue mission's ability to serve the homeless; and it would likely be the end of the school choice initiatives that rely on religious schools--schools of faith--to serve at-risk children trapped in failing schools. Additionally, businessowners across the country who conduct their businesses based on their sincerely held faith, beliefs, and principles would be subject to lawsuits simply because they have a traditional view of marriage. Again, if all that my colleagues have just even recently said were the only thing about this legislation, it would be another story; but it isn't, it goes way beyond. A deep appreciation for and commitment to following science in the positive endeavor of continuing the human race is important. Mr. Speaker, I ask for opposition to this legislation and a more thoughtful approach.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, we learned this morning of a prisoner swap with the Kremlin: basketball star Brittney Griner for the merchant of death, Viktor Bout. Left behind once again by this administration was Michigander Paul Whelan. While we rejoice with the Griner family, Paul's parents, constituents in my district, will soon have their fourth Christmas without their son. Paul's family is doing their best to stay upbeat and is genuinely happy for the Griner family, as we all are. But it is hard to fathom the magnitude of disappointment with this latest lopsided swap. We are keeping the Whelans in our prayers, just as we are keeping up the pressure. For years now, I have spoken about Paul's wrongful imprisonment on this floor. I was hoping the next time would be to celebrate his release. Sadly, it is not. Today, once again, it is time for Paul Whelan to come home.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor World War II veteran Herb Elfring of Jackson, Michigan, for his distinguished service to our country. Herb truly embodies the very best of America and the Greatest Generation. Herb turned 100 years old earlier this year, and he is one of a very few survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack to still be alive. From 1940 to 1945, Herb served in the U.S. Army National Guard and was stationed in Hawaii at the time of the attack, barely avoiding fire from Japanese planes. Herb would earn promotions and various medals for his bravery in the line of duty. Herb and his late wife, Ruth, were married for 57 years and had five children, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. To this day, Herb remains active in the Jackson community. Thank you, Herb, for your service to our country and legacy in the Jackson community.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 7353, a bill originally introduced by Representative Walorski of Indiana, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Superintendent Mike McAran as he celebrates his retirement and to recognize his many years of service. His contributions to the community are worthy of commendation. Throughout his career, Mr. McAran served many roles within the education system, including as a history and English teacher in the Fraser school district, assistant principal and athletic director at Tecumseh High School, and principal of Sand Creek Community Schools, as well as a middle school in Tecumseh. He would eventually become the superintendent of Tecumseh schools and later the Morenci Area School District. In total, Mike McAran dedicated 56 years of his career to education. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the retirement of Mike McAran. I am proud to honor his work, accomplishments, and significant community impact. We thank him for his outstanding service and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, my heart breaks today. I say that sincerely. My heart breaks to hear the words of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, who I respect highly for many reasons, who disregard the fact that we are talking about life. On this floor, we have talked about the need for formula this morning for the same babies we are talking about. We have heard our Speaker many times imploring us to do it for the children. Who are we talking about today? It breaks my heart to think that my colleagues don't trust women to make decisions about life before life is conceived. It breaks my heart to think that we don't hold men accountable to make decisions to love our girls and women. It breaks my heart that we would say this is a human right to take life when our Declaration of Independence brought us into being with unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We are better than this. We have had 50 years of death. Think about the over 100 years before that we applauded life. Madam Speaker, it is time for us to stand for individuals taking responsibilities that God has made us capable of, to decide for the best interests of others, including those little children. Why is the safest place on Earth today the maternity ward nursery in a hospital, but not the womb? We must change. H.R. 8296 is a bill of death, and it is a bill that takes away responsibility for us, as adults, to do what we must do.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Maxine Randall of Hillsdale, Michigan, who recently passed away at the age of 92. After graduating from North Adams High School in 1948, Max played for the Fort Wayne Daisies of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was founded during World War II. During her 6 years in the league, Max was named as an all-star five times and compiled 116 wins--fifth in league history. Decades later, the women's baseball league that Max starred in served as a catalyst for the hit movie ``A League of Their Own.'' Following her pro baseball career, Max worked at Jonesville Products for many years, where she met her late husband, Bob. As one relative described her, Max was ``salt, grit, and a baseball mitt.'' We send our condolences to the Randall family, and we celebrate an inspirational life lived to the fullest.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, the despicable violence that took place in Uvalde and other places was horrific, and we mourn the loss of innocent life. The thought of losing my fourth-grade grandson in this way shakes me to the core. There are steps we can take to prevent tragedies from occurring without endangering and infringing upon the rights of law-abiding citizens. I will not support legislation taking away the Second Amendment rights of my constituents. We must focus on root causes of violent crimes and the many cultural issues plaguing our society. As a Nation, we face a severe mental health crisis, fatherless homes, breakdown of families, glorification of violence that permeates our culture at every level, even to the devaluation of 63 million innocent babies' lives taken in the last 50 years. It must be all-hands-on- deck--in our homes, our schools, and our churches--to address the foundational issues that keep our kids and communities safe. Madam Speaker, let's not just do something. Harden our schools. Tackle them with real solutions. Oppose this legislation and do the right thing to save innocent lives.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, when President Biden took office, the price of a gallon of gas stood at $2.39 a gallon. Today, the national average is more than double, clocking in at $4.96 per gallon. Since the beginning of the travel season, gas prices have reached a new record high every single day. The situation in my home State of Michigan is even more dire and unaffordable. In the past week, gas prices spiked more in Michigan, the motor capital of the world, than any other State. Our State average has skyrocketed up to $5.21. In Jackson, in my district, gas prices rose 20 cents overnight last week. In Lenawee County, my home county, they rose at an even quicker rate to $5.29, when I drove to the airport yesterday morning. Michigan families are struggling to pay these historic prices at the pump. Robert from Tecumseh, Michigan, told me that he along with many other seniors on a fixed income are simply unable to use their cars because of the price of gas. Another constituent wrote to me that someone drilled a hole in their truck's gas tank and stole their gas. This is the environment that President Biden's antienergy policies have created. Since day one, the Biden administration has been hostile to American energy. They canceled the Keystone XL pipeline. They halted oil and gas leases on Federal lands. They recklessly depleted our strategic reserves, which is now at its lowest level since 1987. They have done everything possible to discourage investment in domestic production. At the same time, the administration continues to beg Saudi Arabia and other foreign countries to boost their oil supply. It simply makes no sense. In Congress, just one side--House Republicans--has been proposing solutions. We should pass the American Energy Independence from Russia Act to unleash our domestic production capability. We should pass the Strategic Production Response Act to transition supply concerns from stopgap measures to permanent production solutions. And we should pass the PIPES Act, which I introduced, to prevent a sitting President from unilaterally attacking existing domestic energy infrastructure. Let's not forget: America was energy independent just 2 short years ago. There is a path to regaining that independence and bringing down prices at the pump if President Biden will reverse course and flip the switch on American energy. My constituents cannot afford $5-plus per gallon of gas. They need relief. We need relief. America needs relief, and fast.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I add to the comments about concerns about the care that is being provided. Repeated studies over the decades have shown that NPs and PAs provide outstanding quality of care, improve health outcomes, and increase cost-effectiveness. Additionally, these healthcare professionals have advanced degrees from nationally accredited programs that include both classroom and clinical rotations and must demonstrate clinical competency. Once more, if there were legitimate concerns about the quality of care, whether it is a Federal program or State program, provided by NPs and PAs to injured workers, then States would not license them to treat or diagnose these workers under State workers' compensation programs. However, the vast majority of States do recognize nurse practitioners and physician assistants as eligible providers for diagnosing and treating disability claims. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Murphy), my good friend.

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, we have all heard of the physician shortage in America. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are a critical component in fulfilling the provider gap. There are 355,000 nurse practitioners and more than 150,000 physician assistants across the country. These healthcare professionals have advanced degrees from nationally accredited programs and include both classroom and clinical rotations and must demonstrate clinical competency. Allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to diagnose, certify, and treat injured Federal workers to the full extent of their State license is not only common sense but is smart economic policy to ensure workers get back to work more quickly and off government supported programs. The bill will not remove physicians from providing care to an injured worker if that is who the patient chooses. The bill is simply giving injured workers more choice to get the timely care they need. The CBO scored the bill as having insignificant impact on direct spending and noted, may result, in fact, in injured workers receiving treatment faster, thereby returning to work more quickly and reducing costs for the FECA program. Lastly, the FECA program is virtually the last remaining Federal health program that does not recognize the role that PAs and NPs play in modern healthcare delivery. They can already provide and oversee care in Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal Employee Health Benefits program, the VA, DOD, Indian Health Service, and the Bureau of Prisons, and are recognized by the Social Security Administration. Furthermore, the bill aligns with the majority of States which already authorize NPs and PAs to certify and oversee healthcare for patients in their State workers' compensation programs. This is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that will make the Federal workers' compensation program more efficient and ensure workers have access to a health provider of their choice. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Foxx, and Mr. Courtney for their support of this bill, and I urge the rest of my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I appreciate that information being shared, but I would like to address some of the concerns that my good friends from the Doc Caucus have presented. We have discussed this in committee representing districts that are rural, urban, and suburban, and the challenges that are there. Again, the issue of States' rights and the ability of States to make decisions, there is a primacy that is there that we ought to consider very strongly. A majority of States already allow nurse practitioners and PAs to diagnose, certify an injury, and oversee patients' treatment. Furthermore, if we are talking about precedent, our bill will align the FECA program with other Federal programs currently in place. Currently, the Federal Government allows care provided or overseen by PAs and NPs in, I state it again, Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and TRICARE. That is significant. Those are textbook studies on how it is working already. Adding to this just seems like it is justified and very important to do. Going back to the States' concerns, as well, if diagnosing or treating a particular workplace injury is outside of the scope of practice for a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant under their State's law, then they would not be covered under this bill, plain and simple. The bill preserves States' rights to make those determinations. H.R. 6087 is simply expanding choice, important at this time, especially with inflation and the cost that is going on in coming out of a pandemic and getting in endemic situations. The Congressional Budget Office, I repeat, noted that the bill would not affect direct spending. In fact, CBO noted in its score that the bill may result in injured workers receiving treatment faster and, as my colleague Representative Courtney said, thereby returning them to work and productivity more quickly and reducing the actual cost for some FECA costs in the process. Getting workers healthy and back to work is not only good for the individual but also good for our economy as we look to get through these worrisome economic times. I accept the concerns of the medical doctors. I understand that they have committed themselves to significant training and significant time in the classroom and in the hospital itself, but we also know that we have come of an age where doctors very regularly use the services and need the services of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. There are communities in my district, in rural areas, where the doctor is a physician assistant. The people appreciate them and receive good care as well. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis).

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 6087, the Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act, is a commonsense bill to improve access to care for workers under the Federal Employees' Compensation, or FECA, program. I rise in support of this bill that I have co-led with my friend and colleague, Representative Courtney, and thank him, his staff, my staff, the staff of the Committee on Education and Labor for their diligent work on this legislation. The bill simply allows nurse practitioners or physician assistants to care for Federal employees under the Federal workers' compensation program so long--and I make this clear--so long as that care is within their scope of practice under State law. Under current Federal law, only a physician can diagnose, certify, and oversee the treatment of an injured Federal worker receiving compensation benefits. This requirement places an additional burden on Federal employees who may have to drive great distances to receive care from an approved provider. Additionally, it limits the injured individual's choice, depriving them from receiving healthcare from the provider with whom they are most comfortable. A majority of States already allow NPs and PAs to diagnose, certify an injury, and oversee the patient's treatment and care for their State workers' compensation programs. So it is time that the Federal Government do the same under the Federal disability program. Furthermore, our bill will align the FECA program with other Federal programs. Currently, the Federal Government allows care provided or overseen by PAs and NPs in Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, and TRICARE. Additionally, since 2017, the Social Security Administration has considered PAs and NPs, along with physicians, as acceptable sources of information for documenting the existence of an impairment for purposes of determining a disability. Madam Speaker, across the country, nurse practitioners and physician assistants provide critical care, especially in rural communities where there may not be a physician within a reasonable distance. In Michigan, there are 5,300 practicing physician assistants and nearly 9,000 nurse practitioners. They are an important part of our primary care workforce in our State. Our bill updates Federal law to grant Federal employees more choice in selecting their healthcare provider, improve access to care, and enable better continuity of care. Again, I sincerely thank my colleague, Representative Courtney, and his staff for their great work on this bipartisan, commonsense bill. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Harris), my friend, the MD.

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman.

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx), the ranking member of the Education and Labor Committee and my good friend and colleague.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding the time. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7791, the Access to Baby Formula Act, to prevent a future crisis like the one taking a toll on families today. I am a grandfather and a father, so it is important to me. Across the country, new mothers are going store to store in desperate search of baby formula. It is stressful; it is gut-wrenching; and it is unacceptable. Even when parents can find baby formula, the price has soared 18 percent in the past year. How did we get to this dire situation? Last November, the Food and Drug Administration shut down the Nation's top baby formula manufacturer, a plant just outside of my district in Michigan. Since then, the Biden administration has slow-walked the response and failed to understand the consequences of their actions. The FDA should have reopened the Abbott plant in Sturgis sooner. This plant is consequential, in large part due to a contract they have with WIC. H.R. 7791 takes critical steps to safeguard WIC participants, even in the event of something like a plant closure. This legislation requires preparation and planning for supply chain disruptions, ensures appropriate guide rails, and will prevent disasters caused in part by government contracts altering the market. As a parent, ensuring the health and well-being of your child is paramount. They should not have to scramble from one empty shelf to another and worry about feeding their babies. This formula shortage is an urgent crisis and one that cannot happen again. I urge my colleagues to support the Access to Baby Formula Act.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Madam Speaker, at the appropriate time I will offer an amendment to recommit H.R. 5129 and ask to have my amendment to restore current law protections for faith-based organizations included in the Record. Madam Speaker, religious liberty is foundational to America. It is enshrined as the First Amendment to our Constitution. Given this Nation's dedication to religious liberty, it is so appalling that H.R. 5129 strikes current law protections for faith-based organizations that participate in the CSBG program. Faith-based providers have a history of leading America's fight to help those in need. From the Salvation Army to Catholic Charities, religious organizations formed the front line in assisting people in poverty. They did so not out of a desire for selfish gain or recognition but because they truly believe it is a calling. That faith allows them to help those in need in unique ways that the government cannot. But instead of honoring these organizations for their long history of service, this bill suggests that religious organizations should leave their faith behind when they want to serve those in need. This is ridiculous. More than that, it is un-American. I would also argue it directly contradicts our Constitution. Madam Speaker, we must give faith-based organizations and providers the same opportunity to serve low-income Americans through the CSBG program that we would give any other organization. We must also guarantee faith-based providers' rights to live out and express their faith through their work. I include in the Record a letter from a coalition of religious providers, led by the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance, which discusses the importance of maintaining current law protections for faith-based organizations--protections, I might add, that President Biden himself supported when he was a Member of the Senate. May 10, 2022. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative: As leaders of faith-based service organizations, religious freedom advocates, and people of faith, we strongly implore you and your colleagues to retain the Charitable Choice provisions when reauthorizing the Community Services Block Grant [CSBG]. The current language of H.R. 5129, the Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act of 2021, would replace the detailed Charitable Choice provisions with a bare sentence. This would be a negative change that creates a harmful precedent. We ask the House instead to reaffirm Charitable Choice in the CSBG program by retaining the Charitable Choice provisions currently in the CSBG statute. The Charitable Choice provisions (42 U.S. Code 9920) give faith-based organizations an equal opportunity to compete for CSBG funding and safeguard their religious character while also protecting beneficiary rights by prohibiting the use of CSBG grant funds for explicitly religious activities. The presence of this detailed language in the statute is a billboard announcing a welcome for faith-based organizations to compete for funding. The provisions were added to the CSBG program in 1998 in a reauthorization bill co-sponsored by Republican Senators Dan Coats (IN) and Jim Jeffords (VT) and Democratic Senators Ted Kennedy (MA) and Christopher Dodd (CT). They sought to improve the effectiveness of CSBG spending by prohibiting local governments and Community Action Agencies [CAAs] from marginalizing faith-based organizations. Protecting participation in CSBG funding by faith-based providers and houses of worship ensures that the procurement process is competitive and that CAAs utilize the most effective and accountable service providers. The Charitable Choice provisions extend to faith-based organizations no novel or unconstitutional rights. Its principles are codified in the Equal Treatment regulations that apply to Department of Health and Human Services funding programs (45 CFR 87), but only partially to CSBG. CSBG has its own regulations, similar but distinct. If Charitable Choice is taken out of the CSBG statute, CAAs would have no guarantee that they will be afforded the same rights and protections due to other faith-based organizations under the Equal Treatment regulations. It would be better to retain the CSBG statutory language and the accompanying regulations. Statutory language provides more certainty over time to Community Action Agencies and to faith-based organizations interested in partnering with them in service. Some in the CAA movement claim that the Charitable Choice language is dispensable because, despite its presence, few faith-based organizations receive CSBG funding. If participation is truly low, then the remedy is action by Congress and the Office of Community Services in HHS to remove the non-statutory barriers that inhibit more extensive partnerships, not to remove the protections that enable the participation of those few. The addition of Charitable Choice in 1998 to the CSBG program was the second time that Congress and the Clinton administration added such language to a federal program (Charitable Choice was first added to the TANF program in 1996). These actions launched the faith-based or partnership initiative. The four succeeding administrations of both parties (Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden) have worked with energy to ensure that federal social programs are maximally effective because they partner with the best non-government organizations, including faith-based organizations, with full protection for the religious freedom of the ultimate beneficiaries. Senators Coats, Jeffords, Kennedy, and Dodd were right to add Charitable Choice to the CSBG program. Removing it will be detrimental to the participation of faith-based organizations, when it is their greater involvement that will most benefit the communities that CSBG funding is intended to serve. Removing it will create a terrible precedent by signaling that Congress is no longer as boldly committed to equal opportunity for service organizations of every faith or none. We ask the House to reaffirm Charitable Choice in the CSBG program by amending H.R. 5129 to restore this language before the reauthorization moves forward. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. Signed, [University professors sign in their personal capacities only. Their employing universities take no position on this bill, and are listed only to help identify the individual signers.] Stanley Carlson-Thies, Senior Director, Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance, Washington, DC; Stephanie Summers, CEO, Center for Public Justice, Washington, DC; His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, Chairman, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee for Religious Liberty, Washington, DC; Rev. Dr. Galen Carey, Vice President of Government Relations, National Association of Evangelicals, Columbia, MD; Rabbi Abba Cohen, Vice President for Government Affairs and Washington Director, Agudath Israel of America, Washington, DC; Melissa Reid, Director of Government Affairs, Seventh-day Adventist Church--North American Division, Columbia, MD; Rev. Dr. Jo Anne Lyon, General Superintendent Emerita, The Wesleyan Church, Fishers, IN; Yaakov Menken, Managing Director, Coalition for Jewish Values, Baltimore, MD. Shirley V. Hoogstra, President, CCCU--Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, Washington, DC; Robert C. Andringa, Ph.D. President Emeritus, CCCU, Washington, DC; P. George Tryfiates, Vice President for Public Policy & Legal Affairs, Association of Christian Schools International, Washington, DC; Jedd Medefind, President, Christian Alliance for Orphans, Falls Church, VA; Ronald L. Sider, Founder, Christians for Social Action, Lansdale, PA; Gary W. Blackard, President & CEO, Adult & Teen Challenge USA, Ozark, MO; Ryan Jay VerWys, CEO, ICCF Community Homes, Grand Rapids, MI; Jonathan Bradford, President and CEO Emeritus, ICCF Community Homes, Grand Rapids, MI; Douglas Laycock, Professor of Law, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. Carl H. Esbeck, R.B. Price Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Phillip L. McIntosh, Professor of Law, Mississippi College School of Law, Jackson, MS; Paul Marshall, Professor, Baylor University, Washington, DC; Robert Osburn, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Wilberforce International Institute, Roseville, MN; Joseph M. Knippenberg, Professor of Politics, Oglethorpe University, Brookhaven, GA; Abby M. Foreman, Professor, Dordt University, Sioux Center, IA; Ryan T. Anderson, President, The Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, DC; Charles Leslie Glenn Jr., Professor emeritus of Educational Policy, Boston University, Boston, MA; Gail Frances Jansen, Retired Attorney, Former Trustee Center for Public Justice, Tucson, AZ; James W. Skillen, President (retired), Center for Public Justice, Birmingham, AL; Marc Andreas, Professor, Kuyper College, Grand Rapids, MI; Michelle C. Kirtley, Fellow, Center for Public Justice, Chapel Hill, NC; Chelsea Langston Bombino, Fellow, Center for Public Justice, Catonsville, MD; Bruce Rowell, Chief Clinical Officer, Lawndale Christian Health Center, Chicago, IL; Rev. Girien R. Salazar, Minister, Ciudad de Esperanza, Farmers Branch, TX; Rev. Marian Edmonds- Allen, Executive Director, Parity, New York, NY; Mr. Roger Metcalf, Chairman Board of Trustee, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Gresham, OR; Michael Kozlarek, City Director, The Navigators, San Diego, CA; Mark Rodgers, Principal, Clapham Group, Burke, VA; James B. Bolds, Lead Pastor, Victory Church, Yorktown, VA; Joyce Campbell, Concerned community member, Christian Reformed Church, Greenbelt, MD; Randall Kroll, Executive Consultant, Platinum Group, Minneapolis, MN; Kathryn Vaselkiv, Not for profit board member, St Moses Church, Baltimore, MD. Deanna Stacy, Former Associate Director, HHS Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, Alexandria, VA; Ashley Weiss, Staff, Youth with A Mission, Lakeside, MT; Greg Enas, Venture Catalyst, Innovatov LLC, Indianapolis, IN; Jerry S. Herbert, Elder, Washington Community Fellowship, Washington, DC; Karyl Savageau, Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center, Washington, DC; Clarke Cochran, Deacon, St. Peter Catholic Church, Charlotte, NC; Carol Veldman Rudie, Board member, Association for Public Justice, Minneapolis, MN; Dr. Paul Wrobbel, Head of School, Trinity Oaks Christian Academy, Cary, IL; Bethany Schuttinga, Ph.D., President, Avail Academy, Minneapolis, MN; Steven Groen, Principal, Avail Academy, Edina, MN; Andrew Ryskamp, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Grand Rapids, MI; Perry Recker, Librarian emeritus and Ruling Elder, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA; Rev. Dr. Steven J. Koster, Pastor of Congregational Life, Grace Church, Grand Rapids, MI; David E. Campbell, Christian Reformed Church of Washington, DC., Washington, DC; Henry G. Gunnink, Regional Pastor, Classis Lake Superior of the Christian Reformed Church of North America, Inver Grove Heights, MN; Randall Hedman, Donor Relations, World Renew, Bloomington, MN.

Mr. WALBERG

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.