Mark Walker

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia for taking the initiative to honor such a great man. In 1986, Antonin Scalia was nominated. I was a junior in high school. I am not sure it really resonated to me at the time what the next 30 years would entail. I believe it is safe to say that not only is he one of the strongest conservative voices of our day, but he could be of all time. I think of his life and I think of the example that he left for all of us, whether in politics or not. It is one thing to be conservative; it is another thing to effective. He showed with his life that he did not have to compromise his principles or his values to be effective. When I look at his peers around him, Justice Ginsburg many times talked about the friendship and the relationship she had with him. It was genuine. He took Justice Kagan hunting. He taught her how to hunt. She killed her first big deer with Justice Scalia at her side. What does that tell me? It tells me something that we need to remember: you can connect with people, you can hold your values, but you can have a genuine love for your fellow man. There is much to be said about Antonin Scalia's faith. Obviously, he lived it, but he lived it in a way that set an example for all of us. Yes, we get frustrated. It is okay to be angry--sometimes vertically, but never horizontally--with our coworkers, our friends, our neighbors, and our family. He set the mark. He set it high. He was someone that could work in, arguably, the toughest environment in the world, yet still gain the respect of his political archrivals. For that, I thank him. Tonight, I honor him for showing us how to be both conservative and effective.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand today to recognize my constituent, Phillip Riggs, who was the recipient of the third annual Music Educator Award presented by the GRAMMY Foundation. The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators who have made a significant contribution to the field of music education. Phillip was selected out of 4,500 nominations submitted from all 50 States. Phillip is a native of Mount Airy, North Carolina, and is currently the music instructor at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, North Carolina. Phillip was exposed to music in other traditional ways as well. His father was a leader of the church choir during childhood. Phillip is also the recipient of the Exceptional Contribution in Outreach Award presented annually by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors. Thank you, Mr. Riggs, for representing North Carolina honorably, for your tremendous career in music education, and for inspiring musicians across our State and our Nation.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, the Honorable Tim Sessoms has served his community for more than thirty years. His life is an example of a rare instinctive trait that actually puts others first. I have personally witnessed the vast amount of people who regularly reach out to Mr. Sessoms for guidance or help. From the senior adult in the elderly care center to the child in need, Tim Sessoms finds a way to solve the problem or meet the need. His work as Mayor of Summerfield was another way that Mr. Sessoms chose to give back to his town. His vision and his ability to execute has moved Summerfield to a better place for years to come. Our community owes the Honorable Sessoms a debt of gratitude. His friends and neighbors know that he walks the walk with integrity and grace. We all owe him a ``thank you'' for a lifetime of putting his fellow man first.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, Steve Bucci has served his country in over 40 years in war and peace. From his first days at West Point, Steve has dedicated his life to protecting this nation. After a distinguished military career, he served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and most recently as the head of national security research at the Heritage Foundation. Steve launched the Foundation's Index of U.S. Military Strength, the most comprehensive and authoritative annual assessment of the state of the armed forces. He is a recognized world expert on security matters from cyber security to terrorism. Most importantly, he is one of Washington's premier mentors of our future-- our young professionals. We all owe him a thank you for a lifetime of putting his nation first.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing us to engage in what we call People's Night 2. The House has been working diligently for the citizens of our districts. We have passed solid legislation that is good for the economy, that protects life, that helps small businesses, veterans, bills that reduce taxes. I would guess that maybe not all of our citizens are even aware that the House has actually passed a balanced budget. In fact, there are over 300 pieces of legislation that have been passed through the House but have been stalled in the Senate. Tonight, we want to highlight some of the legislation, but also, and with all due respect, we are calling on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to get moving on these bills. I am joined by several colleagues this evening to share why we believe it is time to move on behalf of the American people. Our first Member, colleague and friend, from Pennsylvania, Mr. Ryan Costello. Mr. Costello is a freshman, along with myself, our shortstop on the baseball team, and a strong voice speaking out on those who sometimes cannot speak for themselves, and that is our veterans. We promise that we would go to Congress and work hard for the men and women who depend on us to get the Veterans Administration correct. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Costello).

Mr. WALKER. Thank you, Representative Rothfus. Our second People's Night was scheduled weeks ago before the terrorists struck Paris. I believe it is appropriate this evening to send out our sincerest thoughts and prayers to the Parisian families and others whose lives have been changed forever by these cowardly attacks. Though my heart is heavy, my discontentment with this administration has reached a new level of frustration. Last year President Obama stated that ISIS was not a serious threat. In fact, many of us remember him referring to them as the JV squad. Just hours before this barbaric attack, the President emphatically expressed that ISIS had been contained and they were no longer expanding. As a member of the Committee on Homeland Security, I couldn't disagree more. According to the FBI, there are more than 1,000 open investigations that are ISIS or terrorist related. ISIS is a clear and present danger to the American people. Earlier today, in a joint hearing with the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Homeland Security, General Jack Keane shared these words: ISIS is the most successful terrorist organization of our time. The world does not believe that our country is serious about taking on ISIS. The general added: ISIS is not contained, and they are at war with us, but we are not at war with them. While President Obama plays down the threat, other world leaders are leading and exhibiting and showing strength. Even the Pope has been warning us that these attacks and others could be the beginning of world war III. After reviewing the evidence and testimony, I am convinced that it is only by the grace of God and the diligent work of our local, State, and national law enforcement that we haven't been hurt in the same manner that played out just last weekend in Paris. Sadly, President Obama has yet to offer any plan, any strategy, or any solution to slow down these sons from hell. There is more evidence, continuing evidence of the disastrous Obama doctrine. The words of the President this past weekend sounded more like a spokesperson for the United Nations than America's Commander in Chief. This is more of the same flawed foreign policy that we have experienced, just like we did in the recent Iran deal. May I remind us that 25 Democrats stood with Republicans, rebuking such a deal. Even more are calling on the President to speak with clarity and with boldness. The American people have grown weary of the constant swag and condescending responses. Mr. Speaker, how much longer can we afford to wait on a President who stubbornly refuses to identify these devils as radical Islamist extremists? I would hope and pray that all Members of this House would band together, demanding the President deliver a definitive course of action. It is time, Mr. Speaker, for the President to settle up. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALKER. I thank Representative Costello. His hard work on the Veterans' Affairs Committee is duly noted. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, these bills are not making it to the President's desk. We are tired of the argument that the President will most likely veto these legislative bills or of the filibustering that we hear about sometimes in the Senate. We hear the word ``reconciliation'' a great deal. Reconciliation is a simple majority vote. Fifty-one votes in the Senate is what is needed to get it to the President's desk under reconciliation. If we think back, this is how Harry Reid shoved ObamaCare into the culture and fabric of the American people--by reconciliation, by a simple majority. In fact, it has been Mr. Reid who has blocked, filibustered, and sat on legislation to protect the President. That is why the American people elected Republican majorities in the House and the Senate. It was to clean up Washington and to stand against President Obama's far-left agenda. One of the ladies I have been able to meet who has worked hard and who has been a voice is a nurse, a small-business woman, and a former educator. I specifically like the nurse part, being married to one for 23 years. She is the middle daughter of working class, Great Depression-era parents. Having had 40 years of experience in working in the healthcare field, she is uniquely positioned as a credible and effective leader on healthcare policy in Congress. She is a strong leader on fiscal and budget reforms, but her voice for life in these halls is one that is heard throughout the country. From Tennessee's Sixth District, Congresswoman Diane Black is that voice, and I would like for her to share a little bit more on her specific piece of legislation.

Mr. WALKER. I thank Representative Black and appreciate her heartfelt words. Mr. Speaker, in nearly a year of holding the majority, the President has only vetoed three of our bills. In fact, only once, I believe, he has had to do that in the last 8 months. Politico, back in February, published this prediction: ``Though Obama's three vetoes are thus far a record low...experts expect Obama's final 2 years to be packed with high-profile veto showdowns.'' That hasn't happened. My next friend and colleague who would like to share a little bit of his heart is someone I have grown to admire and respect. I am privileged to serve with him on the Homeland Security Committee where just a few months ago, I heard one of the more powerful 5- or 6-minute talks that I have heard since I have been here in Congress in which he was willing to stand up for the Family Research Council and Tony Perkins against the tax from the Southern Poverty Law Center-- specifically the President--who had put them on a hate list. In fact, I am going to yield him a little bit of leeway so he may share some things that may be a little bit in context but that may be a little bit off as well. It is my privilege to introduce and to hear from a great Congressman from South Carolina, Representative Jeff Duncan.

Mr. WALKER. Historically, I would like to put this inaction in some kind of perspective. We actually have to go back to James Garfield in the 1800s to find such a low number of vetoes. James Garfield only served 7 months, or about 200 days. President Obama has been in office nearly 7 years. Compared to other Presidents--for example, President Kennedy, though obviously never completing his term, however--he used a total of veto 21 times. Ronald Reagan used a total of 78. Why is this so important? Well, the answer is simple. This is not political theater. It is the process that exposes the President's continued desire to rely on government and not the private sector, which may explain the national debt skyrocketing from $10 trillion to nearly $20 trillion that is predicted by the end of his term next year. We need to end covering for the President or for other Members on these tough votes. When the President vetoes legislation, he has the obligation to explain to the country the reasons that he is against such bills that help the American worker and protect families and small businesses. It is one of the only measures that our Founding Fathers provided to Congress in holding the President accountable. It is a privilege to introduce a friend from Georgia's 10th Congressional District, a fellow freshman who is passionate about the cause of the American people, someone that is authentic, someone who founded the Cultures and Values Network and was the host of his own radio talk program. He has become a dear and close friend of mine. I would like for the American people to hear from Representative Jody Hice from Georgia's 10th Congressional District. I yield to the gentleman from Georgia.

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Hice for those passionate comments. You know, in life, sometimes you run across people who are authentic, who truly have a servant spirit. One of those people I have been privileged to meet is right here in the Halls of Congress. He is a Representative from Arizona's Eighth Congressional District. He is a Reagan conservative in his seventh term. He has one of the most powerful and passionate voices, a huge heart, but a strong voice for life. It is a privilege for him to be a part of our People's Night 2. I yield to my friend, my colleague, and the great Representative from Arizona, Representative Trent Franks.

Mr. WALKER. Thank you, Representative Franks. I think America just saw some of the eloquence as well as the passion with which you speak for America's unborn. As we have talked tonight about the many pieces of legislation that the House has worked on diligently over the last 10, 11 months, here is just a partial list that I hold in my hands: legislation that is good for the American family, a balanced budget, reduction of taxes, taking care of our veterans. Tonight, with all due respect, we are calling upon Mitch McConnell and the Senate to move, to move diligently and to move urgently. It is past time. Tonight before my closing comments, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania's 12th District, Representative Keith Rothfus. It is maybe just a bit off topic, but something that is very important about what has been going on over the last week. syrian refugees

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, last night on election day in North Carolina, we lost one of our favorite sons, Howard Coble, a man who served in these Halls for three full decades, yet his heart always belonged to the constituents of The Old North State. I am honored to stand with my colleagues today and others in acknowledging our Congressman. Howard demonstrated humility and grace, and it was evident that he genuinely loved the people he represented. Howard taught us many things, but most of all, he demonstrated why statesmanship still matters. In a rhetoric-driven political arena, Howard understood why tone and approach continue to make a difference. He is often remembered by his attire, specifically the madras jacket. No, it didn't match many times, but he was confident enough in who he was, and evidently the ladies seemed to have no problem with it. Howard did more than just simply make noise in this place; he made a difference. It is an honor to follow him. May our Lord comfort his brother Ray and the entire Coble family.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Chairman, Congress has been clear that the patchwork of laws and rules dictating when drivers eat, sleep, and pull over is impractical. Fifty standards create an unreasonable burden on truck drivers and companies. Furthermore, dismantling the Federal standards jeopardizes safety, increases costs, causes significant inefficiencies, reduces competition, inhibits innovation and technology, and curtails the expansion of markets. I support the Denham amendment, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support today of H.R. 10, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act. In the 10 months that I have been here, one of the neat things that I have experienced is when we participated in a site visit with the Oversight and Government Reform Committee under Chairman Chaffetz earlier this year and had a firsthand opportunity to interact with the kids and families about the success of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. I was recently reminded just a couple weeks ago when I was sitting in the hearing seeing the families, seeing the moms who were just beaming with pride about their children having this special opportunity. In the 2013 and 2014 school year, the Opportunity Scholarship Program had a graduation rate of 89 percent, which is astonishing compared to the D.C. Public Schools graduation rate of 58 percent. As a former minister, I have taken groups in the heart of the inner cities, places like New York and Baltimore. Specifically, in Cleveland, there is a school there called Sunbeam Elementary School. Thieves had stolen the copper off the weathervane, the school was filthy, and there was a metal detector for an elementary school. We brought in a team of 60 or 65 people and refurbished the school and did our best. But do you know what? That was only a temporary fix. The SOAR Act is a fix that lasts for a lifetime. It gives scholarships to children in low-income D.C. families to attend a private school. This piece of legislation also allows parents the opportunity to provide a quality education for their children. I believe that education will only be successful if two foundational truths are rediscovered: first, that parents know what is best for their child, and they should have the freedom to pursue the path that works for them; secondly, and finally, States must stand up to the Federal Government to reclaim their freedom to educate their children.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, we have a problem in making sure that all of our senior adult population is treated with the utmost respect and proper care. HUD's Section 232 Program was intended to provide Federal loan insurance for loans covering the needs of nursing homes and other elder-care facilities. However, while HUD requires these applicants to submit their latest quality ratings, which is a one-star to five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, the quality rating is not a deciding factor. This has allowed nursing homes that provide routinely poor care to receive repeated taxpayer insurance loans. Among others, this is seen in the rise in the number and volume of one-star facilities that received HUD insurance each year from 2009 to 2012 but, also, in reports over two decades from GAO's and HUD's inspectors general. Clearly, HUD's steps haven't gone far enough to provide real reform to ensure that taxpayer dollars do not go to nursing homes that consistently provide poor care to our seniors and to our needy. We must ensure that taxpayer support is going to nursing homes that provide quality care for their residents, not to facilities that provide continually deficient care. By linking CMS' quality ratings to loan eligibility, the Nursing Home Accountability Act ensures that new federally backed loans go to nursing homes with a demonstrated commitment to quality care for their residents. Bottom line, what my bill states is this: Under CMS' Five-Star Quality Rating System, if a nursing home receives a rating of two stars or less for 30 consecutive months, the nursing home will then be ineligible for any future section 232 loans. After a nursing home becomes ineligible for future section 232 loans under this Act, it can become eligible once more for future loans if the facility maintains a rating of three stars or more for 30 months. Regarding ratings, all nursing homes receive a blank slate when this law is enacted, and HUD is allowed to continue to service previously issued loans under this law. I would also like to say thanks to our local FOX affiliate for researching the gross mismanagement of Federal funds and bringing a greater awareness of this important matter. Overall, I look forward to opening the national conversation of how we can better focus this program on the quality of care provided to our seniors and to the needy.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Lauren Whaley as she and her family begin a new chapter in their lives. I want to thank her for her service to the Carolinas Credit Union League and all the credit unions in North Carolina they represent. Lauren and her husband, Charles, are graduates of North Carolina State University, and have called Raleigh home for many years. Last year, they were blessed to welcome their beautiful daughter, Margaret Blaire Whaley, into their family. Lauren has been with the League for over six years and has served as the Vice President of Governmental Affairs representing credit unions in both the North Carolina General Assembly and the United States Congress. She has represented credit unions with the highest degree of professionalism and has a work ethic that is second to none. Lauren was instrumental in working to help pass legislation to curb elder financial abuse in North Carolina. Her accomplishments are many and her mark is as lasting as her impression on those she meets. As a freshman member, I appreciate the resource she has been to me and my staff. I know Lauren will be missed as she departs from the League not only for her industry knowledge, but also for who she is as a person. I wish Lauren and her family the best.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, in America, the practice of abortion is now referred to as women's health care. Yes, in the 21st century, even with all the science, we refuse to ask the question: What about the baby? The cavalier spirit and the coldhearted callousness in taking a live baby and then cutting into her face to retrieve fresh body parts--can you imagine the national outrage if we were carving up puppies in the same manner? We don't condemn these young mothers who have been convinced that no other options exist; yet we will be negligent if we stand silent over the atrocities of an abortion mill that goes by the name Planned Parenthood. Whether you are pro-life or not, surely, most Americans are appalled by the idea that our tax dollars are funneled to this organization. I cannot look the other way. It is my belief, and I am thoroughly convinced that this is no longer a political issue. This is about a human rights violation that parallels other barbaric times throughout history. Ultimately, we will stand before almighty God. The Psalmist David wrote: For You, God, formed my inward parts. You wove me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Thank you, Congressman Collins. I appreciate you raising this issue and bringing it to the House floor. It is one of a growing concern internationally, that we have seen organizations like Boko Haram and others who have done great damage to those, really, to the least of these. Mr. Speaker, our Nation was founded on the right to believe and to live according to one's beliefs, and our commitment to allow people to live out their religious values without fear of discrimination is really the cornerstone that developed our country into a force for freedom; but this liberty isn't just an American right. It should be a foundational element for all people groups. Who would have ever thought that we would be in a position to reference the United Nations? This right is so universal that it was included as article 18 of the U.N.'s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 18 recognizes that the right of all people to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion--this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, freedom to manifest his belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance. However, members of the very institution that is supposed to subscribe to this declaration proactively seek out and punish individuals in groups for their very own religious beliefs. In violation of international law--and his inherent human rights-- Iran is currently imprisoning a gentleman by the name of Saeed Abedini for the mere fact of being a Christian, a man who was working with children who had little hope, if any. I have communicated on multiple occasions with his wife, Naghmeh, whose children have pleaded and begged this administration and Iran to be able to release. In fact, in 2012, the history, during a visit to Tehran to meet with his family to talk about helping out with orphanages and building board members, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard arrested Saeed for his Christian faith. Without any due process, Saeed was summarily given a sentence of 8 years. Throughout Saeed's imprisonment, he has spent weeks in solitary confinement. The prison guards have allowed other prisoners to come and beat him. He is denied medical treatment for infections that resulted from beatings because he is labeled an infidel. I am more than proud that this House unanimously passed H. Res. 233, that demands the immediate release of Pastor Saeed, along with former U.S. marine, Amir Hekmati, and Washington Post journalist, Jason Rezaian; but we need to do more. We need to return Pastor Saeed to his home family now. As I was thinking about this whole process and speaking about it, I actually thought back to the original Mayflower Compact, so I looked it up. The words--it is amazing--still ring true, Mr. Speaker. Allow me remind us just for a moment of those words. It reads: IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc., Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, 1620. Ronald Reagan--in closing--said it best. He said: The most essential element of our defense of freedom is our insistence on speaking out for the cause of religious liberty. That is why we are here today, and I hope and am proud to stand with Representative Collins in continuing to stand for those who cannot stand for themselves.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. I thank Representative Duffy for his leadership on this matter. Mr. Speaker, tonight I join my colleagues in speaking out against the barbaric and heinous actions we all witnessed in an undercover video in which Planned Parenthood was caught selling the body parts of aborted children. In 2013, Planned Parenthood performed 327,653 abortions and received over a half billion dollars--$500 million--in taxpayer funding. Ironically, it was in 2013 that President Obama became the only sitting President to ever address this organization. May I remind you that it was at this address that the President made the decision to invoke God's blessings on these hideous activities. The mask is now coming off an organization that barters the very parts of a baby in a manner that most Americans find appalling. So many of us here are parents. We have watched in awe at the ultrasound images of our children. We have seen their little hearts beat and have marveled at God's creation in how fearfully and wonderfully they are made. How can we stand idly and not speak out for these lives, the very least of these? That is why I have taken immediate action by joining in a letter with several of my colleagues, speaking out against Planned Parenthood's evil and depraved actions, and fully support a congressional investigation into this organization. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of Congresswoman Black's bill, the Title X Abortion Provider Act. We must stop now these organizations from receiving a single taxpayer dollar through the Title X program. I urge the Senate to act quickly to pass the House's legislation that ensures no taxpayer dollars are used for abortions, H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2015. May God give us continued courage to seek justice, to love mercy, and to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, the President's foreign policy has been disastrous for more than 6 years. If you are keeping score at home on this deal with Iran, feel free to add another major error in the box score, labeled, ``The Failed Obama Doctrine.'' President Obama's insistence on force-feeding a deal with Iran is troubling. The unrelenting attempt to boost his legacy has created a gross lack of discernment. The President and his State Department have left a trail of detrimental decisions with deteriorating relationships throughout the world. How can we forget the President's blurred red lines in demanding that Syria's Assad end his human rights violation? After the President drew his line in the sand, Assad responded with the bombing of hospitals and the use of chemical weapons against his own people. The President has failed to show any initiative or strategy and has consistently attempted to lead from behind. Meanwhile, of all people, Russia's Vladimir Putin was the one who intervened in this international crisis. Speaking of Putin, the President's posture with Putin has been pitiful. Of course, it was President Obama who mocked Presidential candidate Mitt Romeny's 1980s concern of Russia being a threat. Maybe it is time President Obama revisited Ronald Reagan's foreign policy of the 1980s. Wasn't it Vice President Joe Biden that claimed the President's work in Iraq would be one of the greatest achievements of this administration? Syria, Russia, Benghazi, Iraq, ISIS, and we are supposed to be excited about a deal with the world's leader in state-sponsored terrorism. All the while, we have given the cold shoulder to Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East for generations, as we have listened to, over the weekend, shouts from Iran, ``Death to Israel. Death to America.'' The great majority of Americans had hoped that our President would find the strength to increase the sanctions on Iran rather than remove them and surrender control of inspections to Iran. As a Member of Congress, I will stand against any agreement that doesn't completely strip Iran of all nuclear capability. While we are at it, Mr. President, maybe it is time to stop ignoring the imprisonment of Saeed Abedini, Jason Rezaian, Bob Levinson, and Amir Hekmati, our four Americans in Iran. Both the House and the Senate have showed compassion and strength demanding these Americans return home to their families. Saeed has been held for over 1,000 days while his children plead for his release. I agree with the President when he exclaimed: ``We should always do everything in our power to bring these Americans home safe.'' Mr. President, it is time to honor the commitment you have made to these men, these families, and to all Americans. May I close with the words of the Prime Minister of Israel in agreeing that this is ``a mistake of historic proportion.''

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Chairman, a lot of this is talk. And with due respect to my friend from Colorado, I hear the point. But I would say a lot of that is we are hearing ``we, we this, we this, we the Federal, we this.'' It really should be ``we the people at the State,'' ``we the people at the local level.'' It is important that we get some of the power that we like to monger up here among us in this House to return it back to the States, to return it back to the individual school boards. Who best knows to make these decisions other than these parents and these school boards? We talk about accountability. As Dr. Phil would say, ``How has that been working for us the last 40 years?'' We need to get the accountability back to where it goes, where it should have been from the very beginning, and that is to the State level and to the local people, to the parents and the school boards. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Chairman, I am introducing the Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success, or the A-PLUS, Act. When most of us come to Washington, one of the promises or one of the things that we try and do best is to return as much power or, should I say, decisionmaking back to the States and back to the people. I believe the A-PLUS Act does that. It allows the States to opt out of as many as 80 different Federal programs, returning that opportunity. Some may say that No Child Left Behind, that it allows the opt out, and it does; but what it doesn't do, it doesn't allow the States to opt out of the mandates and still keep their Federal funding. That is why we believe this is a crucial amendment. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. DeSantis), my distinguished friend.

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Chairman, who better to address these problems than parents, States, and local school boards. Let's talk about specifically what the A-PLUS Act does. One, it restores education decisionmaking to State and local leaders who are better positioned to make informed decisions about the needs of their local school communities. It allows States to consolidate funding for any and all programs that are authorized under the ESEA, and it also reduces bureaucracy and increases transparency of student outcomes by redirecting accountability to parents and taxpayers, not Washington. Fundamentally, I believe that government is more accountable, almost always, the more local, and it becomes more effective. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.