Brad Wenstrup

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Thank you. I appreciate my friend, the gentleman from Utah, for putting this together tonight to allow us to share our message in support of Israel. The fear that has engulfed innocent civilians in this conflict is really unthinkable. In southern Ohio and across America, could you imagine rockets raining down indiscriminately on Cincinnati or Chillicothe or Portsmouth? Ohioans know the fear that they feel when they hear tornado sirens blare and the impending threat of possible destruction. Imagine that fear amplified and extended continuously over weeks by an enemy that seeks to eliminate your country and your countrymen. The continued success of the Iron Dome has protected countless innocents and weakened the perpetual threat posed by the terrorist organizations that surround them. I am proud to say that America has been a strong partner in pioneering this technology. While Israel continues to protect their people with the Iron Dome, Hamas urges Palestinians to become human shields to protect their Hamas rockets. We all hope for a peaceful resolution to the current conflict. Unfortunately, Hamas continually rejects cease-fire deals. Hamas refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist and is dedicated to destroying the State of Israel. Just yesterday, Hamas used tunnels to burrow into Israel and ambush Israeli soldiers, killing many. Can you imagine a terrorist group with tunnels built to infiltrate your town, your village, your city? The construction materials used to build these terrorist tunnels were intended to construct schools and hospitals, but Hamas would rather continue its perpetual aggression with Israel than better the lives of the Palestinian people. Hamas would rather fire rockets from playgrounds and homes than work towards peace. The American public stands with Israel on a foundation of shared democratic values and a commitment to a free society, especially in the face of rising anti-Semitism across the globe. Israel cannot draw down while Hamas continues to dig tunnels, giving them unfettered access to towns. Every Nation has the right and responsibility to defend itself, and Israel is no different.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, if a Cincinnatian were audited tomorrow, the IRS would expect my constituent to have the last 7 years of records to simply prove their compliance with the law. The IRS? Not so much. It is a different standard for them. After spending years politically targeting Americans, and trampling the First Amendment to silence opposition, the IRS is hiding from the American people. Now, instead of coming clean, the IRS is essentially saying: Sorry, the dog ate my homework. They say: Our emails are missing. It would appear that Lois Lerner knew what she was doing. In April 2013 she warned staff to be cautious about what information they put in emails. The Federal Government cannot and should not expect to live above the rules that govern every hardworking American. The breach of trust is devastating. The American people expect a government that is answerable to the people, not one that shirks any accountability or responsibility for blatant political abuse. A viable special prosecutor must be appointed to get answers. We can't continue to let bureaucrats hide from justice.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. The IRS has admitted to paying politics with our Tax Code, going as far as singling out certain groups for having ``patriot'' in their name. Unfortunately, much of the targeting that occurred happened in my district's backyard, in the IRS field office in Cincinnati. Americans have the right to be outraged, and they deserve better. I want to thank the chairman of the committee for ensuring that free speech rights are protected in this bill. Mr. Chairman, I wrote to you in April asking that we prohibit funding to implement proposed rules on 501(c)(4) organizations, and my constituents are appreciative that you acted. By prohibiting funding for certain IRS activities, this bill would prevent these IRS abuses from becoming law. Importantly, this bill is designed to make sure the government works for its citizens, not against them. While the House continues its efforts to get to the bottom of the IRS political targeting, this is a meaningful action we can take now to make sure the behavior isn't repeated. Every American has the right to participate and engage in civic debate and must be protected from partisan bureaucrats. IRS targeting isn't just an affront to the Constitution, but a threat to all Americans seeking to exercise their First Amendment rights. I thank the chairman and his committee again for their diligent work on this bill.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. The $15 million is coming from renewable energy accounts and less crucial administrative accounts.

Mr. WENSTRUP. I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio.

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Chairman, I rise to follow through on a promise the American Government made to the people in my district and across the country to fund nuclear cleanup projects at cold war enrichment facilities. This amendment would direct $15 million to the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund. At the height of the atomic age, the government began enriching uranium in our arms race against the Soviet threat. One of these facilities is the Portsmouth plant in Pike County, Ohio. Today, half a century later, it needs to be decommissioned and cleaned up, a task that has been entrusted to the Department of Energy. Like other DOE projects, Portsmouth is largely funded through uranium sales. Since the price of uranium has dropped significantly since Fukushima, additional funding is necessary to make up for the loss of revenue. The community cannot move forward without an adequate cleanup. The people of Pike County and the region worked extremely hard for the national security interests of this country. Unfortunately, we, the Federal Government, seem to be running from them in their time of need. This community is held hostage, unable to develop their economy and their land until the cleanup is complete. Delaying the cleanup punishes a community that answered our Nation's call, and now our Nation is willing to walk away from them, leaving a radioactive and chemical contamination. Without adequate funding, the Federal Government is leaving a massively contaminated site right in the heartland of our country. A delay in funding for fiscal 2015 only means a higher cost to the government in future years. The success of the environmental management work at the Portsmouth plant is critical to the Pike County area and the entire region. We are talking about good, honest, hardworking Americans, and we are standing in their way by undercutting the project's funding and leaving a contaminated cold war facility in the heart of their community. In an effort to minimize wasteful delays, unnecessary layoffs, and job loss, our amendment would provide $15 million for this fund, completely paid for by offsets in the bill from less crucial administrative and energy accounts. This amendment prioritizes funding for an actual, existing, ongoing project that employs hundreds of hardworking Ohioans and keeps important environmental management work on schedule. I acknowledge and appreciate the committee's work to include $15 million in funding for this project, but the bottom line is this is far short of the needed $65 million more to continue the cleanup project in a timely manner. Again, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. With each delay, the cost goes up. Our Nation benefited from the work conducted in Pike County, and now they are being left out and endure more uncertainty from Washington. This site must be cleaned up. It is an environmental imperative and an economic imperative, and it is the right thing to do.

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. WENSTRUP. Reclaiming my time, you know, renewable is not an option for this area of America until it is cleaned up, and waiting costs more and it paralyzes a large portion of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Chairman, I yield 60 seconds to my colleague from Ohio (Mr. Johnson).

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to welcome the Parish Choir and Choristers of St. Thomas Episcopal Church to our nation's capital. The choir, along with their Rector, The Rev. Darren R. S. Elin, and music director, Dr. Carlton Monroe, was one of a few Episcopal choirs invited to sing at the National Cathedral this summer, a very distinct honor. I congratulate these men, women, and children on this special occasion, and I commend them for their service to their community and to God. We are fortunate to have such talented and dedicated people in the Second Congressional District of Ohio. Again, congratulations to the St. Thomas Church Choir on this well- deserved honor. I wish them the best of luck this weekend and in the future.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your and the committee's hard work on crafting the agriculture appropriations bill on the floor today. It is a bill that supports American farmers, protects the safety of our food, keeps rural America vibrant, and ensures that our taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently and effectively. I also want to thank you and the committee's continued support for an issue that is very important to my constituents of the Second District of Ohio, the Asian long-horned beetle. This pest, also known as ALB, is one of the most destructive, invasive species that has entered the United States. These beetles have been discovered in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois, and they were first seen in my district in 2012. Mr. Chairman, ALB is devastating our trees. These insects burrow themselves into the heartwood of our trees, where they lay larvae and feast off the wood. As a result, trees in my community are dying or becoming so structurally weak that they are unsafe to even be near them. This doesn't just affect one type of tree, unfortunately, but over a dozen different species. Eradicating this infestation is extremely important to me and my constituents. Unfortunately, the infestation has already come at a very high cost. To date, roughly 43,000 trees have been removed in Clermont County of Ohio, due to the Asian long-horned beetle, including over 30,000 trees that have not even yet been infested. This is 43,000 less trees that can no longer provide shade on a sunny day or protect against erosion; not to mention, this infestation and tree removal is directly impacting the property values of homeowners. Currently, cutting down and removing trees is the most common method used to eradicate these beetles. My constituents are having their trees removed from their own private properties, turning front yards into lumber yards. Mr. Chairman, I ask that you insert language into the conference report that would encourage the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture to support alternative methods to tree removal to combat the Asian long-horned beetle. Thank you, and I appreciate your past and continued efforts to eradicate this destructive pest.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. I yield myself 2 minutes at this time. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. The Guantanamo facility is safe and the most appropriate location for detainees to be held. Detainees at Guantanamo are held there because they were engaged in dangerous acts threatening the United States of America and its allies. Some orchestrated and celebrated the murders of thousands of innocent Americans. As in previous conflicts, it is entirely appropriate to hold detainees until enemy forces are defeated. In this case, it is al Qaeda and their associates. The Guantanamo facility is ideal for this purpose. It is secure. It is relatively distant from the United States. It is difficult to attack. I can promise you that the Cubans have no interest in freeing the prisoners there, but there are people in this world that want to do that. We saw it at Abu Ghraib prison last year where many members of al Qaeda were freed. That prison was attacked, and they were freed. So the Guantanamo facility is ideal for this purpose. It is secure and it is safe. It also provides humane conditions for the detainees. They have access to health care, recreational activities, cultural and religious materials. Also, Members of the House of Representatives routinely visit Guantanamo, and they have seen the humane conditions in which dangerous detainees are held. Based upon these facts and the nature of the character of those held at Guantanamo, the cost already incurred in accommodating them, there is no reason to move the Guantanamo detainees to facilities in the United States. At this time, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Chairman, at this time, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry).

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Chairman, I have heard Members from both sides of the aisle speak out against this very notion that they do not want these types of detainees coming to their State or territory. I will remind them that, as in previous conflicts, it is entirely appropriate and lawful to hold detainees until our enemy forces are defeated. I have not seen that. If al Qaeda is on the run, I think it is toward us, as we have seen so many actions taken by them in recent times. I ask for your support in defeating this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor).

Mr. WENSTRUP. I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Walorski).

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, congratulations to Adams County for being awarded the Healthy Ohio Healthy Community GOLD award from the Ohio Department of Health! As a physician, I know the importance of preventative care and the impact of lifestyle choices in creating healthy communities. The leaders in Adams County are to be commended for their efforts. As we empower residents and families to make healthier choices, we all thrive as a community. Promoting healthy options at home and in the workplace is a positive mission for everyone. Specifically, the Adams Brown Creating Healthy Communities Program and the Adams County Health & Wellness Coalition deserve recognition. These programs, in collaboration with the Adams County Regional Medical Center Diabetes team, Adams County Court of Common Pleas, and local employers like General Electric, have made effective progress in working towards a healthy and effective workforce and county. I am excited to watch Adams County's continued success and thank their leaders for working to improve the well-being of all their residents.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, The United States Army, the U.S. Military medical community, and a grateful nation, are united in their support of LTC Denis Descarreaux attaining the rank of Colonel. Colonel Descarreaux exemplifies the values that are near and dear to the Army: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage. Denis Descarreaux has always displayed an enduring work ethic and a commitment to serve others. His time in uniform is marked by distinguished service on behalf of the American people. Dr. Denis Descarreaux exemplifies one seeking and obtaining the American Dream and presents as a model Soldier, citizen, husband, and father. Colonel Descarreaux has brought virtue to himself, his family, his uniform and his nation. We are assured that he will continue to be an invaluable asset to the United States Army. Congratulations on your lifetime accomplishments and your promotion to Colonel in the United States Army. With God's blessings.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, I join with Ohioans in the Second District in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1914 Smith-Lever Act. As we entered the 20th Century, America's scientists and researchers were at the forefront of scientific and technological developments that helped pave the way for unprecedented economic growth and prosperity. Many of these innovations were developed at our nation's great land- grant universities, and Smith-Lever was able to connect these collegiate discoveries to hard working farmers and families across rural America through extension programs. As the law sets forth, extension programs would be established to diffuse and distribute the ``useful and practical'' information for agriculture, home economics, and rural energy, and have adopted an expanded mission over the last century to include 4-H, farmers, Master Gardeners, and Consumer Sciences. In Ohio, our extension offices and staff continue this one hundred year-tradition. Our counties and families continue to benefit from educators bringing the latest best practices to local communities in a practical and meaningful manner. And as America remains at the forefront of discovery, the extension program will continues to diffuse new knowledge throughout our communities.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. I yield to the gentleman from Oklahoma.

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Chairman, I rise in support today of amendment No. 7. My amendment is simple. It would eliminate the daily delivery of printed copies of the House Calendar to Member offices. This multipage paper booklet is currently delivered each legislative day to 441 Representatives' offices. The document in my hand is about 100 pages, meaning that about 44,000 pages are wasted each legislative day, over 5 million pages a year. The information in these pages is readily available online, and, as required, paper copies will be kept on record. Previously, the House took similar action by ending paper deliveries of the Congressional Record a few years ago with no adverse effects. Let's be honest, Madam Chairman, no one sits and peruses the calendar every day. Most offices accept the delivery, turn 90 degrees, and place it in the recycling bin. Hardly a good use of time or precious paper. Ending this outdated practice also saves money. We can save hardworking taxpayers nearly $200,000 a year, according to the Government Printing Office. Madam Chairman, I want to note that this idea came from one of my staff members, Kate Raulin, who repeatedly recycles these Calendars and grew frustrated at the waste she saw every day. Imagine if every staff member of this body had an idea or an amendment that would save the taxpayers about $200,000 a year. By my back-of-the-napkin calculations, those savings would easily top over a billion dollars a year. When I worked in the private sector, we had to be mindful of excess costs and waste. The government must be held to the same standard and should reform outdated policies. We should not remain stuck in the past. If the daily cost of delivery came out of each Member's personal office budget, how many of us would actually pay to get this delivered every day? I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and vote ``yea.''

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.