Jackie Walorski

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. It does happen. We are going to do all we can to absolutely prevent this happening. I thank my colleagues who have spoken so far. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence), my friend and fellow Hoosier from Indiana's Sixth District.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I now yield to my friend from the Second District of Tennessee (Mr. Burchett).

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend from the Fifth District of North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I now yield to my friend from the First District of Kansas (Mr. Marshall).

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the Fourth District of Missouri (Mrs. Hartzler), a great friend of mine who stands for life every single day that she is here.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire on the time remaining.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend from Utah's Second District, Representative Chris Stewart.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend from Florida's Fourth District, Representative John Rutherford.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my fellow Hoosier from Indiana's Fourth District, Representative Jim Baird.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend from Michigan's Seventh District, Representative Tim Walberg.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend from South Carolina's Fifth District, Ralph Norman.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend from West Virginia's Third District, Representative Carol Miller.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend from Ohio's Sixth District, Representative Bill Johnson.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers), my friend from Washington's Fifth District.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I would again inquire how much time I have remaining.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood), my friend from Illinois's 18th District.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Walker), my friend from North Carolina's Sixth District.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen), my friend from Georgia's 12th District.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Olson), my friend from Texas' 22nd District.

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues for joining me this evening to stand up for the most vulnerable among us. We stand together to defend the sanctity of life, to speak out against a radical anti-life agenda that would effectively legalize infanticide. I have long fought to defend the unborn, but I am shocked that I now have to defend the right to life of newborn infants. These precious children are in peril, their rights are under attack, their lives are under attack, and this House has the responsibility to act. Tonight the American people heard our call to action. It is time to vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Will the leadership of this House listen or will the Democratic majority continue to allow this march toward legalized infanticide? If we don't send a strong message that every baby has been endowed by its creator with inalienable rights, that we are not defending the fundamental principles of the Constitution, if we don't protect these children from harm, we are abandoning the basic truth of our humanity. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for standing with me here tonight. I urge the support of House bill H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, and to stand against infanticide. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge a vote on H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. This bill would require doctors to provide medical attention to children who survive an abortion attempt. Unfortunately, H.R. 962 is needed more than ever with the passage of a radical law in New York State that essentially legalizes infanticide. That law allows abortions up to and even after birth and ends safeguards to protect babies born alive after failed abortions. Similar bills are being debated right now in States like Virginia, where the Governor spoke of making newborns comfortable while doctors and patients decide if they should be left to die. We have to stand up against this radical legislation to protect the rights of all infants. This is not a partisan issue. It is simply what is right to do. Congress must pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, and I urge this Speaker of this House to schedule a vote as soon as possible.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the bravery, service, and friendship of Hoosier veteran Joseph Steenbeke and his beloved canine partner Tess. Joe and Tess served side-by-side to defend our freedom, and they are true American heroes. Joe served in the U.S. Army, working as a Tactical Explosive Detection Dog, or TEDD, handler. From May 2012 to February 2013, he was deployed to Afghanistan with Tess, a Belgian Malinois trained to detect IEDs, at his side. Joe served his country with courage and strength. But as Joe's wife Stephanie put it: ``He risked his life fighting beside an even stronger force, Tess.'' She was Joe's partner, his protector, and his best friend. When their service together ended, Joe returned home to Indiana, and Tess moved on to her next mission for the Connecticut National Guard. But their bond remained strong. Over the next five years, Joe never stopped thinking about Tess and never gave up on the idea of adopting her. Like so many of our brave veterans do when they return from war, Joe struggled with PTSD. But his love for Tess and his determination to bring her home gave him strength and hope. And that's when Stephanie wrote me a letter asking to help them complete this mission. It was a great honor to work with Joe and Stephanie, the U.S. military, and the Connecticut National Guard to ensure once Tess was retired she could be adopted by her former handler. And I was thrilled to be able to call Joe a few weeks ago with the good news: Tess would soon be his again. Now she is with the Steenbekes in her forever home in Culver, Indiana, taking on her latest mission as Joe's partner, protector, and best friend. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the courage and sacrifice of Joe Steenbeke and the loyal companionship of his beloved dog Tess. On behalf of 2nd District Hoosiers, I am grateful for their service to our country and the powerful example they set. This is more than a story of man's best friend. This is the story of an unbreakable bond between two American heroes.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, January 30, I missed a vote on H. Res. 79. Had I been present for the vote on H. Res. 79, I would have voted ``no.''

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 430, the TANF Extension Act of 2019, which extends the authorization of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, program through June 30, while we finish up our work on a long-term extension. Our safety net is essential to helping people who fall on hard times get back up on their feet, but, too often, it becomes a web that traps people in the cycle of poverty. One of the keys to breaking that cycle is human interaction, rather than treating people and recipients like another number on a government spreadsheet. It takes people on the front lines of the fight against poverty to make sure we are looking at the root causes of the problem and actually doing something to help people across the country build out and up on the economic ladder out of poverty. Those in the trenches fighting poverty need the flexibility to develop innovative solutions tailored to local needs that will empower individuals to move to work and to achieve the American Dream. Over these next couple of months, we have a great opportunity to work together on a long-term extension of TANF that makes commonsense reforms to the program to ensure no one gets left behind on the sidelines. Right now, the status quo is not working. But by focusing on workforce development, measuring work outcomes, and requiring States to engage with recipients at an individual level, we can and we will move people out of poverty, off TANF, and onto the road to success. I thank Chairman Neal and Ranking Member Brady for their work on this issue. I look forward to working with them and my other colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee on a multiyear TANF extension. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. WALORSKI

Mrs. WALORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ben Falkowski for his service to Indiana's 2nd District as Chief of Staff in my office. As Ben begins the next chapter in his career, I want to take a moment to reflect on his many achievements and to express my sincerest appreciation for all he has done over the last six years. Ben started working on my team in 2012, with sights set on Washington, D.C. Those who know him would agree that, when Ben sets a goal, he has a knack for achieving it. In my congressional office here in D.C., he worked his way up from Legislative Correspondent to Legislative Assistant, and he never stopped looking to the future. Ben's hard work, determination, and keen knowledge of public policy and constituent services earned him a trip back to northern Indiana to become my District Director. After two years of steadfastly serving our constituents and leading our district operations, Ben returned to our nation's capital as my Chief of Staff. In this role, Ben oversaw our team with outstanding leadership that motivated, inspired, and guided everyone to the finish line each and every day. I could always count on Ben. No matter the time of day or the issue at hand, he was wholeheartedly present and fully prepared to get it done. I thank Ben for always being my first call. I thank him for never shying away from a challenge. I thank him for helping me fight for hardworking Hoosiers. And I thank him for building up a team of rock stars who share our vision of a brighter future and his passion for making a difference. Madam Speaker, I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ben and thanking him for the part he has played in the historic things we have accomplished for the 2nd District and for the United States of America.