Steve Womack

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Chairman, the Afghan National Security Forces include both the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police. It has been one of the United States' top priorities since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001. The purpose of the Afghan National Security Force development program is to grow the capacity and the capability of the Afghan National Security Forces in line with international agreements. This year's request totals $7.7 billion. The request is further delineated into the categories of Defense Forces, Interior Forces, and Detainee Operations. Included within the categories is the base request for operations and sustainment to conduct day-to-day operations, totaling just over $5 billion, and an additional $2.6 billion for the enablers, which my friend refers to in his comments from the well. The gentleman says, if I heard him correctly, that we don't know what these enablers are. We do know what these enablers are, and people who have backgrounds in security or in the military would understand the importance of howitzers or of night vision devices or of regional military hospitals, training, logistics, and maintenance expenses, and a host of other associated items that we refer to in this legislation as ``enablers.'' The Department of Defense has taken steps to right-size the funding needed to support the needs of the Afghan National Security Forces. The core request is, indeed, the right amount. Calendar year 2014, Mr. Chairman, will be the last year that a large U.S. troop concentration will be in Afghanistan. In the years to follow, the Afghan National Security Forces will be there as the frontline force, thus helping to protect the U.S. and NATO troops against our foes. With that, I remain opposed to the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

Mr. WOMACK. First of all, we have the list. I recognize that the gentleman has argued that, while there may be something printed on the list, on paper, of ``how would we know that it's actually going to go for those purposes?'' I get that, but let me also remind the gentleman that this was all in the President's request as well.

Mr. WOMACK. I would be happy to yield to my friend from California.

Mr. WOMACK. So I'm assuming that the gentleman would admit that the President is wrong in this case as well.

Mr. WOMACK. In reclaiming my time, Mr. Chairman, I would just simply say that we have the list. On the list are, certainly, items that would go to the very core of the capability of the Afghan National Security Forces in order for them to be able to protect themselves and to be able to protect us as we continue to prepare for leaving that theater of operation. So I am strongly opposed to the gentleman's amendment. At this time, in my having no further comments, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome the newest member of the Womack family--the birth of Kaden Houston Womack, late Thursday. He is the son of Phillip and Kaylee, and the grandson of Kathy Vance and Earl Vance and Steve and Terri Womack. At 5 pounds and 10 ounces, Kaden entered this world completely oblivious to the difficult and complex issues facing our Nation and, indeed, the world. Like every newborn in America, Kaden should have a clear path to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But Mr. Speaker, instead he inherits about $50,000 of debt that he had absolutely nothing to do with in its creation. That's a challenge we must overcome. It is simply unacceptable-- downright irresponsible--for these innocent babies to face growing up paying for our extravagance. This grandpa is grateful Kaden was born to good personal health, and this grandpa will continue to do his part in Congress to ensure a bright and sustainable future for his generation. To my newest grandson: Welcome, Kaden. Happy birthday.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, it's with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the memory of a young man from my district killed in an industrial accident at Arkansas Nuclear One power generating facility. Wade Walters was 24. He was a Russellville, Arkansas, resident and a graduate of Pottsville High School. He loved his job as an ironworker at Precision Surveillance Corporation and embraced all the outdoors had to offer, including bow fishing, hunting, shooting, canoeing, roping, and knife collecting. Wade is survived by his father, James Keith Walters, of Dover, Arkansas; his mother, Susan Allen, and husband, Rusty; a sister, Chelsy; his grandparents, Tom and Bonnie Underhill; and the love of his life, Alyssa Alvey, all of Russellville. Mr. Speaker, Wade gave a lot of himself. As a member of Russellville Christian Center, Wade went on numerous mission trips to Mexico to build housing for those in need. He had a big heart for his family and friends and was a constant source of inspiration to all he met. We pray for peace and understanding for his family during this difficult time.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman. Mr. Speaker, our Framers were visionaries. They had the foresight to not only establish constitutional principles and processes that address the challenges of their day, but that still sustain and guide this country 230-plus years later. Now, I don't think there's any question that this particular government, this Federal Government, has gotten away from proven and time-tested processes required by our Constitution and has stretched constitutional authority to its limits. We're operating under continuing resolutions. That seems to be normal today. We've submitted budgets that are now over 2 months late. And we have taken other steps, right here in these Halls, that have served to usurp the rights that belong to our States. Doing so has left us vulnerable, Mr. Speaker, to rulings like the D.C. Court of Appeals ruling on February 8 that said that the President's recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board were unconstitutional. Now, like my friends on the other side of the aisle, and like you, Mr. Speaker, we have all raised our hand and said that we're going to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and you know the rest. We've all taken that oath. The Noel Canning decision holds the President's recess appointments are in direct contradiction to what the Framers outlined in article II, section 2, clause 2 of the Constitution. And, as a result of the ruling, each decision made by that Board since that time has been called into question. Mr. Speaker, I, personally, don't have anything against the individuals who have been appointed to the NLRB. And it's irrelevant whether I agree or disagree with the Board's rulings. My concerns are, and the concern of each and every Member of this House should be the fact that we continually push the limits of our Constitution, the checks and balances outlined in this sacred document. At its best, this Court of Appeals ruling provides uncertainty, and the last thing that this country, this economy needs is uncertainty. I recognize the weight of the decisions made on the interpretation of the Constitution. They are tough. It is no easy task. And that's why I don't think it's unreasonable to press the pause button on the decisions emanating from this Board until we get a final ruling. It is irresponsible, in my strong opinion, not to. That's why I appreciate my friend from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) for authoring this legislation. I support it wholeheartedly and recommend its passage.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer early birthday greetings to one of America's Greatest Generation. James O. Clemons turns 90 next week, and it's important for him to know how grateful we are for his service to country. Inducted into the Army in 1943, Mr. Clemons found himself in the Army Air Corps as a flight engineer, mechanic, and gunner. Based in Italy during World War II, Tech Sergeant Clemons and his unit, the 827th Bomb Squadron, 484th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, flew missions in Italy, the Balkans, Austria, Germany, and southern France. A recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and of a number of other decorations, Tech Sergeant Clemons, like millions of other great Americans, answered his Nation's call, and as Tom Brokaw wrote in his famous book: ``They won the war. They saved the world.'' Mr. Speaker, we're losing this generation of patriots. In fact, Tech Sergeant Clemons and Tail Gunner Joseph Wythe are the last living crewmembers of his unit. So it is with a great source of honor that, in advance of his special day next week, March 27, and on behalf of the people's House, I say, Happy 90th birthday to James O. Clemons of Catoosa, Oklahoma.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Amendment XIV: Section 1: ``All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.'' Section 2: ``Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed.''

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, just a few weeks before we bid farewell to 2012, I rise today to acknowledge a noteworthy anniversary celebrated just a few weeks ago--the 80th anniversary of the Hartford Music Company's famous song, ``I'll Fly Away.'' This staple of gospel music was written by the legendary Albert E. Brumley and has been recorded more than 5,000 times by celebrated performers from Aretha Franklin and Kanye West to the Boston Pops and the Blind Boys of Alabama. The song is published in most major church hymnals, and its distinctive melody frequents funerals, gospel concerts, and community singings around America. So, Mr. Speaker, on this milestone anniversary of the publication of this national treasure in song, let us reflect on the chorus, just as Brumley wrote a few decades ago: I'll fly away old glory, I'll fly away. When I die, Hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove myself as a cosponsor of H.R. 6085.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. I move to strike the last word.

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Chairman, I also oppose the amendment. The Community Development Block Grant program is very important to cities and States throughout our country. As a former mayor, I can attest to the fact of the impact the Community Development Block Grants have on our local communities. This year, we had many Members, both Republicans and Democrats, request funding for CDBG programs. For many Members, there is strong constituent support for the program. The section 108 CDBG loan guarantee is a good community development tool because it does something that we should be interested in doing, and that is leveraging funding. With only $6 million provided in the bill, HUD is able to make nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in loan guarantees for community development. So it's a small amount of Federal money that creates a pretty significant impact. Now, if a fee is warranted, we would encourage the authorizing committee to enact legislation to create a fee and lower the cost of the program. So I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. I want to thank the chairman of our committee and the ranking member, Mr. Visclosky, for their great leadership. As has been mentioned in the limited discussion we've had already, great kudos have been given to Rob and the staff team here that have done such a remarkable job. I'm just a freshman on this committee, and this is my first trip through these appropriations processes. But I've got to tell you that when I go back to my district, I brag on the competence of the staff that work so hard to ensure that the intent of the Congress and of our committee is carried out. So to Rob and his team, I can't thank them enough for the work that they've done. We've also mentioned Chairman Rogers and the ranking member, Mr. Dicks, and the full committee for the great leadership that they provide. Hopefully, tonight people can see that amidst all of our difficulties and all of our divisions between the Congress, that people can understand that there are things that we can agree on. Mr. Chairman, I think that this Energy and Water bill reflects the priorities of our country. There's no question that one of the great priorities facing our country today is the fiscal condition that we're in. And while we'd like to see funding levels at greater than what we're marking tonight, clearly the fiscal condition of our country, money is an object, and it is something that we have to take into consideration. But I think, as I said, it reflects the priorities, conservative values that lead, guide and direct our fiscal position; but it also addresses some very key national security issues with regard to the National Nuclear Security Administration. And as has already been mentioned, it does put money into programs that drive energy-- commonsense, all-of-the-above energy strategies for our Nation. So, with that, I would commend this bill to this Congress in hopes that we can run rapidly through it. I know there will be amendments. The open rule is a great process, and we're fully supportive of that. But again, I want to commend the chairman and the ranking member for the great leadership, their staffs, and encourage support for this bill and look forward to the process with amendments.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a milestone achievement at Kennametal, a company headquartered in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, with facilities across the country, including one in the Third District of Arkansas. The employees at the Rogers facility were presented with the Three Million Work Hour Award by the Arkansas Department of Labor, the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission, and the Arkansas Insurance Department for, as the name of the award suggests, going 3 million work hours without a lost-time accident. Kennametal's Rogers, Arkansas, facility was established in 1953. The facility is home to 500 employees who manufacture round tool blanks, energy compacts, substrates, wear parts, pelletizing dies, hard-facing rod, and powdered metal. Mr. Speaker, 3 million work hours without a lost-time accident is a great accomplishment. It's a testament to what can be done when a group of employees, however large, share a common vision and come together to work toward that goal. Today, I'm honored to share this accomplishment with the Nation. Congratulations, Kennametal. You deserve it.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the service of Joe Landers, chief of police in Lowell, Arkansas, who died Friday morning, May 4, as a result of injuries suffered in a hit-and-run, drunk driver accident while on vacation in Florida on April 27. Chief Landers was a dedicated public servant--everything you could want in a leader. He loved his job, his community, those under his command, and the people he served. It was evident in the way he carried out his duties. He began his law enforcement career with the Benton County Sheriff's Office before joining the Lowell Police Department in 1995. In 1997, he was promoted to chief, and in the last 15 years, led his organization during a period of unprecedented growth. He was responsible for the development of the Lowell motorcycle patrol, dispatch center, K 9 unit, and the Special Response Team. In 2005, Chief Landers performed international duty as a law enforcement adviser in Iraq. Mr. Speaker, our State and Nation has lost a valued member of the law enforcement community. Tomorrow will be a sad day when we say our final good-byes. I speak for Arkansas' Third Congressional District in expressing our deepest sympathy to his family, to the city of Lowell, and to the great State of Arkansas.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and service of Command Sergeant Major (retired) Herb Brav. This extraordinary American, who served his country in uniform for over 30 years and another 27 years as waterfront, gymnasium, and physical fitness director for the Multinational Force and Observers, Sinai, Egypt, died March 9, 2012, in St. Augustine, Florida. Herb was a legend. A former heavyweight boxer, he joined the Army in 1947, served tours in Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam. His iconic service with the MFO impacted thousands of soldiers from many contingent forces. I fondly remember his mantra: ``When the will is strong, everything is easy.'' Soldiering was everything to this patriot. He rarely took a vacation, and never spent a Christmas away from the soldiers at South Camp. Madam Speaker, it is a great honor to speak on behalf of MFO veterans worldwide, his wife, Gisela, and his two children in saluting Herb Brav for his service to country and his fellow man. Let us remember his immortal words: ``When the will is strong, everything is easy.''

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his time, and I thank the gentleman from North Carolina for his kind remarks, too. I want to thank the Speaker of the House and Leader Cantor and Chairman Bachus for giving me the honor and privilege of helping shepherd this important piece of legislation through the House. As was already mentioned in previous remarks, this bill, H.R. 886, passed overwhelmingly through this House with only a single dissenting vote late last year in the first year of the 112th Congress. It's gone over to the Senate, and it's come back with an amendment that simply reassures the American people that none of the production costs or other costs associated with the minting of this coin that commemorates the 225th anniversary of the Marshals service will be borne by the taxpayers. So it just further assures the discerning public out here that the effort that we're doing today in honoring a great law enforcement agency in the U.S. Marshals Service at the same time does not cost the taxpayers any money. So I urge strong support for this bill, as amended.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. I thank the gentleman, and I do appreciate his leadership in this discussion about job creation in America. I've said many, many times that if there is an elixer out there to fix the problems, the challenges facing our country today, it's job creation. What the gentleman from Arkansas has been articulating in the last several minutes has been a very good discussion about the four things, and I couldn't agree more, the four things that are part and parcel to our country creating jobs and putting itself on a different fiscal path. He's talked about overregulation. I'll come back to that in a moment. He's talked about the threat of higher taxes and the need for comprehensive tax reform in our Nation; he's talked about the need for a solid energy policy that allows our country to access its own resources, American energy resources to solve America's energy challenges; and, of course, he's talked about the deficits and the debt. Now, if you look at the plight that we're in today insofar as job creation--one greater than 8 percent unemployment, sustained unemployment of over 8 percent--and when you look at the fact that people are out here scrambling to find work--meaningful jobs as they want to be productive and want to contribute to American exceptionalism--then the way you do that is not by taking a welfare check; it's by having a paycheck. If you're looking at this plight today like you would an impending storm, it's a dark, dark cloud of uncertainty that hangs over the job creators. I submit to you that the reason so many people are sitting on trillions of dollars of cash, those who would like to get into the game and create jobs and expand the American economy, is that they have a difficult time computing their input costs. They don't know how energy is going to affect their ability to create jobs. They don't know how the next regulation, the next rule that is going to come down from Washington, is going to impact their ability to earn a profit. As evidenced by the downgrade that we had last year by the S&P, they're not confident that Congress, these people who gather in this Chamber every day, is capable of making the decisions, of having the courage to make the decisions to put America on a different fiscal path. It's a dark, dark cloud of uncertainty. I don't blame them for sitting on the sidelines right now, but there is a lot of cash ready to get in the game if we'll just do some of the right things. The gentlemen who have spoken tonight talked about regulation, but that's not why I came to the floor tonight, and that's not what I wanted to talk about primarily. I came from a meeting right before votes today that talked about an issue totally unrelated to my district and unrelated to most of America. It's out in California. Later this week, we're going to vote on H.R. 1837, the San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act. I heard my colleague from California talking passionately about this issue, as he has done a number of times from the well of this House, in that, back in 2009, Federal regulations to protect a 3-inch fish, the delta smelt, led to the deliberate diversion of over 300 billion gallons of water away from the San Joaquin Valley and its farmers. It cost thousands of farm workers their jobs; it inflicted up to 40 percent unemployment in certain communities; and it fallowed hundreds of thousands of acres of fertile farmland. Those were real people. Those were real jobs. Because of Federal regulations and this desire on the part of this Congress--of this Federal Government, I should say--to protect a 3-inch fish, we turned our backs on American workers. In so doing, we affected millions of people nationwide because, when you affect the fertile farmlands of California the way we have by diverting this water, you have, indeed, taken a step toward increasing the price of food. The bill that we will consider later this week is a comprehensive solution that would restore water deliveries that have been cut off through the Federal regulations and environmental lawsuits and through a plethora of things facing the California farmers.

Mr. WOMACK. Let me take it a step further because I can relate to what the gentleman is talking about and can relate it back to my home district. I think the gentleman would agree that, over the last several years in Arkansas, there has been a phenomenal rate of growth in the northwest part of our State, the area that I happen to represent, which is the great Third District of Arkansas. It's known for its incredible growth over the last several years. Now, it is home to some pretty well-known companies, companies like Wal-Mart and J.B. Hunt trucking and Tyson Foods. If you look at northwest Arkansas, there is really no compelling reason why prior to the establishment of those major companies that northwest Arkansas would be an area where you would have this unprecedented growth. But for the entrepreneurial spirit and drive of guys like Sam Walton and Don Tyson and J.B. Hunt--and I could go down another list of people who have provided jobs and who have created and expanded businesses and who have made a meaningful impact on the greater mid-South and the entire Nation--northwest Arkansas would be kind of an average area with no great infrastructure, until recently there, and with no real compelling reason why it would be anything special. Yet we're fighting an issue in the greater northwest Arkansas area that could, indeed, impact our ability to continue to grow. I'm talking about EPA's desire, insatiable appetite, to put a total maximum daily load, a TMDL, if you would, on phosphorus loading in the Illinois River watershed, which flows into Oklahoma, because of a loading standard imposed on northwest Arkansas by our neighboring State, a standard that many say is not even achievable. So all of the great development and job creation and the elevated quality of life is in jeopardy. The future is in jeopardy as a result of a Federal agency imposing on the region a standard that may or may not even be able to be achieved. I bring that up for this reason: back when I was a mayor of a city in northwest Arkansas, I challenged EPA to give us the science, to show us exactly how they can calculate that this standard has been impacted by the farmers and ranchers of northwest Arkansas and those who manage the point sources of pollution, the municipalities. I happened to be the mayor who presided over one of those. As I understand it, the science was a collection of data from about 20 streams somewhere in America, streams not known to us. They took, I think, the 75th percentile of the average phosphorus loading into those streams. I doubt seriously that they used streams and rivers that were similar to what we were dealing with in northwest Arkansas. I bring up this subject only because we're talking about job creation tonight, and our ability to continue to expand the economy in northwest Arkansas is dependent on our ability to have a good, clean water supply and to be able to treat our wastewater and to be able to discharge it properly and sufficiently in order to be able to create growth. Yet I'm afraid, one day, we're going to look up, and because of these standards imposed on us by the Federal bureaucracy, this overregulation that we've talked about, that we're not going to have an opportunity to grow because we're going to be into moratoria on growth and development in our area as a result of these unfair standards. But that's a whole other story. I really came tonight to talk with my colleague about tax reform because, as we've indicated, the threat of higher taxes, or the tax structure as we now know it, is, in my strongest opinion, one of the great barriers to job creation. You know, just the other day, in this very Chamber, the President of the United States stood on the dais and he talked to this Congress about the need for comprehensive tax reform. In his proposal to reform the corporate tax code, I was pleased to see the President showing some leadership in that regard, and I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues in the House and Senate to do something that in my strong opinion is long overdue. I, along with many of my colleagues, agree on the need for corporate tax reform. The U.S. has one of the highest corporate tax structures in the world, second only to Japan. This discourages job growth and job creation in the United States. It's time to broaden the base, time to get the government out of the business of picking winners and losers, time to eliminate special interest loopholes, and it's time to lower the corporate tax rate once and for all. But corporate tax reform is not the only piece of the puzzle. There are many other pieces. If we are going to grow the economy and give our job creators the certainty they need to invest, we also should look at the individual rates--not just the corporate rates, but the individual structure as well. There's an opportunity to simplify the individual tax code. In December of 2010, according to the Compendium of Tax Expenditures prepared by the Congressional Research Service that we all use, there were more than 300 tax expenditures in the form of special exclusions, exemptions, deductions, credits, rates, and deferrals. We need to reevaluate every single one of these expenditures. There are many other benefits of comprehensive tax reform. For example more than 90 percent of the Treasury's budget goes to the IRS. If we simplify the Tax Code and make it easier to follow and enforce, the IRS doesn't need the resources it currently needs. What's more, IRS reported, and I think these numbers were back in 2006, hundreds of billions--I think some were just short of $400 billion--of what we call a tax gap. Again, simplification of the Tax Code makes it easier to follow and enforce, and we can significantly narrow that gap. I thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle who are looking forward to working on comprehensive tax reform. I believe in my heart that it is, as my colleague from Arkansas has indicated, one of four things, four basic things, four basic issues facing America today that can help put our job creators back into the business of doing what they do best. And that is having ideas, incubating those ideas, making those ideas come to reality, taking the necessary risks, having access to the capital to help support those businesses, to expand those businesses by hiring people, by growing things, by making things. And as my friend from Virginia said a moment ago, we have proven that the American worker is the most productive worker in the world. And that's what we need to do: Corporate tax reform; ending this excessive over-regulatory environment that we're in; to access American energy solutions to solve America's energy challenges; and once and for all doing something about the extraordinary deficits--four straight trillion-plus-dollar deficits--facing America, and nearly trillion- dollar deficits as far as the eye can see, based on the current glide path; to do those things necessary to get our deficit under control, to begin to whittle down that debt and save future generations of the burdens that we have in an almost immoral way put on their shoulders. With that, I thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight.