Kevin Yoder

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition, even though I do not oppose the amendment.

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

Mr. YODER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to speak in favor of the bill before us, paying particular attention to the work of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee. I first want to thank my colleagues, Chairman Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member Lowey, for their leadership; and Ranking Member Ryan, who has been a gentleman and a scholar, for working with me to develop this product, a great example of how representatives from opposite sides of the line can work together and create a model bipartisanship to build great legislation for the American people. Our total recommendation for the fiscal year 2018 Legislative Branch is $3.58 billion. In this bill, we focused on Capitol improvements, better security, more transparency and accountability all in a fiscally responsible manner. First and foremost, Mr. Chairman, the House continues to lead by example in its frugal operations. With this bill, we will be spending 12 percent below the 2010 levels, showing the American people fiscal discipline starts here in our House operations first. We also continue the policy of denying pay increases to Members of Congress for the eighth fiscal year in a row. This Republican Congress has tightened its belt since taking the majority, and we have never allowed a pay increase for Members of Congress, and we aren't allowing one today, saving taxpayers over $68 million since 2011. In light of the recent shooting where Republican Members of Congress were targeted for their beliefs and our colleague and majority whip, Steve Scalise, was seriously wounded, this bill takes new focus on the security related to Congress, and I would like to recognize the United States Capitol Police Special Agents Crystal Griner and David Bailey. As we all know in this body, the U.S. Capitol Police protect us, our staff, and the more than 9 million visitors we get here each year with bravery, putting their lives on the line each and every day to keep us safe. Special Agents Griner and Bailey put that heroism on display for the country and the world when they saved numerous Members of Congress from an attack at practice where some 25 of our colleagues were preparing for the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity. Their courage under fire saved the lives of countless Members of Congress, staff, and innocent bystanders, and both of them were wounded while carrying out their duties. Steve Scalise, Matt Mika, and Zack Barth, who were also injured that day, and everyone else on that baseball field, are alive today because of those Capitol Police officers, and we continue to wish a speedy recovery to everyone who has been injured. We, as a Congress, owe it to the Capitol Police to ensure they have the necessary resources to meet their mission in an increasingly polarized climate. And after working with Mr. Ryan, we believe we have appropriately prioritized those needs, taking a comprehensive approach to ensuring the safety and security of not only Members of Congress, but our staff, visitors, and the constituents we serve. We provide resources and make structural changes that will address security concerns both here at the Capitol and in our home districts, including $29 million in new resources to the Capitol Police for increased security, $5 million to the House Sergeant at Arms for district office security, and support for House Administration's authorization to increase $25,000 per MRA account to address Members' physical security when they are away from the Capitol complex. We also invest new resources in cybersecurity measures to protect attacks on our digital information. After more than 20 hearings, briefings, and tours of various portions of the Capitol complex since January, we have included $581 million in total for the Architect of the Capitol. We recognize the continuing challenge of preserving and maintaining our infrastructure and prioritizing critical projects in the current fiscal climate. We have included funding to restore and renovate House office buildings, upgrade the Capitol Power Plant, and several other projects. We fund a Revitalization Fund to finance major repairs and renovations to facilities in the House for future years, and we are planning ahead to try and save costs. Overall, we provided $648 million for the Library of Congress, with new funding going to IT improvements library-wide, as well as specific copyright modernization initiatives. In total, we provided $48.5 million for the CBO. Members of this body on both sides of the aisle have their differences in opinion with CBO estimates and how it arrives at those conclusions. In some cases, frankly, the CBO is wrong, but, at the end of the day, it serves an important purpose and needs the appropriate resources to do its job. We also increased funding for the Government Accountability Office to ensure that they root out fraud, waste, and abuse in government. Mr. Chair, in crafting this project, Ranking Member Ryan and I sought the thoughtful feedback of Members throughout this committee and this body. There are various initiatives we can all be proud of, initiatives that serve our constituents and produce efficiencies and transparency in the way that Congress operates, including increasing openness and transparency and producing efficiencies by publishing nonconfidential CRS reports online, expanding the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps Members hire veterans. We increased total slots by more than 57 percent. In conclusion, in all, this bill represents a frugal approach at funding the basic operations of Congress. We do so in a fiscally responsible manner, keeping House budgets historically low and prohibiting pay increases in Congress. We are improving transparency and accountability at the same time. I would like to thank Ranking Member Ryan and his staff, Anne Sokolov and Adam Berg, as well as my staff, Tim Monahan, Liz Dawson, Jenny Panone, and Joe Eannello, and to all the members of the subcommittee for their work and participation in the process this year. Mr. Chair, I urge this body support this legislation.

Mr. YODER. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank Mrs. Love for her eloquence and leadership on this issue. She has provided a very serious proposal at a time in which, in light of the recent tragedy at a baseball park here in the suburbs of Virginia and what we have seen across the country, there are threats made daily against Members of Congress, both Democratic and Republican. In fact, threats are up this year over what they were all of last year combined. We know many of these threats are simply just hot air or anger being expressed in an overly vitriolic way. We have all seen it on social media, on Twitter, on Facebook pages, things that are just really shocking and lack the discourse and the civility that we need to solve problems in this country. But it reaches a different level when Members of Congress are put in threatening situations where they or their families legitimately believe that someone may try to harm them. So we must ensure that we do everything we can to protect this institution, that we protect this government, that we protect democracy. The idea that anyone in this body could be targeted based on their political beliefs, like my friend and our colleague, our majority whip, Steve Scalise, was when he was shot at a baseball practice by somebody who was specifically targeting Republicans for their beliefs, that is sort of new in the world of the shootings that we have seen around the country, that someone would be specifically targeted for their beliefs. It happened to Republicans now; it could happen to Democrats the next time. So I think we stand unified as a Congress that we must improve the security in order to protect democracy. We signed up for this, of course, and as my colleague, Mr. Richmond, said, our families didn't. Home security relates to our children, our families, making sure there are cameras or whatever improvements need to be made so that people know that, if someone were to try to attack them at their home, they would be protected. In this bill, we have addressed security here in Washington, D.C. We have addressed security at our district offices at home. We have even allowed personal security. But what we haven't done is allowed some support for home security. We have seen, in recent weeks, that the FEC has said you can spend campaign dollars for this, and I think it is a reasonable request that Mrs. Love is making, that others are standing up for, to allow the MRA to be utilized for that. So I think what the gentlewoman is raising will help with peace of mind. It will help stem real attacks, is limited in its scope, and ultimately protects democracy. Members of Congress should not be intimidated or injured or worse because of what they believe in. I ask the body to support this legislation, and I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan), the ranking member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee.

Mr. YODER. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.

Mr. YODER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Virginia for his amendment to add $1 million to the already $545 million that we spend on the Government Accountability Office. The GAO plays an important role in being a government watchdog. They are the sort of watchdog of what happens in this city. And we are all certainly concerned, whether it is a Democrat or Republican President, that we want a GAO that can do its work and to root out fraud, waste, and abuse, provide economic data for Congress, help us to do our job in holding our government accountable, and help the American people hold our government accountable. That is why we work on this bill, to keep funding steady for the GAO and to help centralize IG reports to make them ultimately public and online to increase transparency. But we have tight constraints on our budget. Even so, while we work to fund additional security needs, critical infrastructure projects that need to be funded, and much-needed cybersecurity improvements, reducing the amount of money that goes to MRAs from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle would weaken our ability to represent our constituents, weaken our ability to effectively communicate with our constituents. I don't think that is the gentleman's intent here, but that would be the ultimate result. We actually have a slight increase in what the GAO can spend in our budget, getting up to $545 million. So there is a slight increase here, and that is at a time in which many budgets are being decreased across Congress. Many of our constituents are tightening their belts and learning how to do more with less in the challenges they face putting food on the table for their families and really working in a family budget. We have to do the same thing here in Congress, Mr. Chairman. The GAO actually gets slightly more money this year, and they have the ability to continue to carry out their function at $545 million. And I don't believe going to $546 million is going to achieve the significant changes that maybe Mr. Connolly would like to see. Ultimately, we are not able to accommodate this request, Mr. Chairman. Our Member budgets are already 12 percent below what they were when the Republicans took over the House in 2010. We are 12 percent below, even with this expenditure, and many Members are concerned that they don't have the resources to provide what they need to for their constituents. So cutting these budgets by $1 million more would only exacerbate those problems. Mr. Chairman, we would have to oppose this amendment. We want the GAO to remain strong, and that is why we slightly increased their funding, but we can't really rob the MRA budgets to add to that with the many challenges we have and many priorities in this Congress. Mr. Chairman, I would oppose the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. YODER. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 17-year-old Erin Smith of Shawnee Mission West High School in Overland Park in my district at home in Kansas. Erin recently won the International BioGENEius Challenge held in San Diego, California, earning $7,500 for her research with the award from the Biotechnology Institute. The International BioGENEius Challenge pushes high school students from across the world to find solutions to healthcare, sustainability, and environmental needs through biotechnology. Erin's research and work focused on Parkinson's disease which affects about 7 to 10 million people worldwide and about 60,000 new patients in America each year. Erin coded a website that can record the facial expressions of subjects using special software which enabled her to discover early indicators of Parkinson's disease. She then built an algorithm that could be used as a diagnostic tool. Mr. Speaker, Erin sounds like one of the world's foremost researchers, but she is only a rising senior at Shawnee Mission West. She is truly incredible. I congratulate her and wish her the best in what is just the beginning of a long journey helping many people living with this dreaded disease.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 392, a bill originally introduced by Representative Chaffetz of Utah, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule of law, of strengthening the enforcement of our immigration system, and of improving the security of our Nation's borders. The safety and security of our constituents should be our absolute top priority for this Congress. Sanctuary cities are a direct threat to our safety. That is why I led an effort to defund sanctuary cities through the appropriations process, and those sanctuary cities and their threat to our safety is why we are here today. What happened to Kate Steinle was a tragedy. No parent should have to go through the anguish of losing their child, especially when it could have been avoided. Unfortunately, the deadly toll of sanctuary cities is not limited to Kate. Last year, in my own community back in Kansas, Master Deputy Brandon Collins, a Johnson County sheriff's deputy with nearly 21 years of service, was struck and killed by a drunk driver while he was performing a routine traffic stop. Deputy Collins was a devoted and caring husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend whose life was tragically cut short. The drunk driver, who fled from the scene of the crash, was an undocumented or an illegal immigrant who had prior convictions for DUI in California in 2001, and was also arrested for driving without a license in 2013. He should have never been behind the wheel of that car when he killed Deputy Collins. Despite his prior offenses, the man was able to remain in the country. He was able to be here to commit this crime because of the failure to enforce the law, and it ultimately led to Deputy Collins' death. No nation of laws should tolerate this. For these reasons--for Deputy Collins and the many other victims and their loved ones dealing with an unspeakable loss--for them, I support this bill, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in its passage.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, June 28, 1911, the day my dear grandmother, Edna Yoder, was born, has been a special day in my life. Each year, for the last 6 years, I have come to the floor to wish her a happy birthday. Last year, she celebrated her 105th birthday. Sadly, today would have been her 106th, but Grandma Edna passed away recently, and I miss her terribly. She was a sweet, loving, and strong grandmother. She had an infectious laugh, an enormous love of family, and a deep belief in her faith. She was a symbol of everything that was great about America's Greatest Generation. She was also a true example of what makes America a strong and vibrant nation: working tirelessly every day on the farm, milking cows at dawn, and bringing in the wheat harvest in the hot Kansas sun. I like to say she had a front row seat on the journey that was the great American century. Mr. Speaker, today, I want Grandma to know that we love her, we miss her, and we know that she is at peace with the Lord in Heaven.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 150th Anniversary of the Kansas State School for the Blind. The Kansas State School for the Blind was founded in 1867 and is one of the historical treasures of Kansas City, Kansas. It serves students from pre-K through high school who are blind or visually impaired, and has some of the most talented, caring, and innovative teachers you'll find in the profession. I've had the opportunity to visit the school, including last August, when I spent time with a group of students and saw the amazing technology that assists them every day as they learn and engage the world around them. I want to thank outgoing superintendent Madeleine Burkindine and Principal Jon Harding for their leadership, and sharing with me how KSSB is making a difference in the lives of these students in our community. Our community and state are stronger because of them. Mr. Speaker, the Kansas State School for the Blind has made a tremendous difference over the last 150 years, and I look forward to our continued work together.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the month of June as Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month and to highlight the need for continued investment, innovation, research, and lifesaving cures for diseases like Alzheimer's that affect every family and every neighborhood in America. Right now, more than 5 million Americans are living with this terrible disease, with someone new developing symptoms every 66 seconds. Studies have shown that number could rise as high as 16 million people by 2020. This year, the cost of treating Alzheimer's and other dementias will cost Americans nearly $260 billion. By 2050, estimates are that those costs will rise to more than $1.1 trillion. To put that in perspective, as a nation, we are only spending slightly more than $30 billion, total, in researching cures for not only Alzheimer's, but cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's, diabetes--literally, all other diseases combined. So this month serves not only to raise awareness about Alzheimer's, but also for us to renew our commitment to research. Mr. Speaker, we must find a cure for the millions of Americans struggling with Alzheimer's, and it is up to us to provide the resources to do it.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight Congress' making more important strides on behalf of our Nation's veterans. The last few years, we have all heard stories about employees at the VA who failed in their duty to serve and protect our Nation's heroes. It is true that most VA employees are hardworking and dedicated, but as we have come to find out, there are bad actors who must be held accountable. Our veterans deserve nothing less. Strangely, as the VA has tried to discipline these bad actors, the existing bureaucracy and red tape has stymied the Secretary's ability to do so. That is why the House today will pass the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, to create a more efficient and effective system to remove, demote, or suspend any VA employee for poor performance or misconduct. Our bill still ensures due process and actually expands protections for whistleblowers, but, importantly, it will let the VA Secretary do his job and clean up the Department and protect our Nation's veterans. Mr. Speaker, protecting those veterans isn't a political issue; it is a cause we must all champion. I encourage a bipartisan vote on today's bill.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, today the House will take up and consider an important bill that will help create opportunity for all Americans: the Financial CHOICE Act. The Financial CHOICE Act repeals the most harmful aspects of the Dodd-Frank legislation that halted the flow of capital to our constituents, destroyed small community banks, frustrated small businesses, and generally made life harder for Americans. The Financial CHOICE Act provides relief to Main Street businesses that had nothing to do with the 2008 financial crisis, but were slammed with onerous and unnecessary regulations anyway. Mr. Speaker, we need smart regulations that protect consumers and make our markets less risky. In many cases, Dodd-Frank did the opposite, and this has been a wet blanket on the economy, destroying jobs and opportunities for millions of Americans. Importantly, Mr. Speaker, the bill also ends government bailouts for large banks considered too big to fail once and for all. It will cut our deficits by $25 billion and finally subject the Federal Reserve to a proper audit. Mr. Speaker, above all, our bill promotes economic growth so that all Americans can have the freedom and ability to get the job they want, create the small business they have always dreamed of, and secure their family's future.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand shoulder to shoulder with our friends and allies in Great Britain, who have suffered three horrific terror attacks in a period of less than 3 months. These attacks at the hands of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria are barbaric, evil, and must be condemned by the entire world. These cowards have used vehicles, knives, and bombs to rein terror down on London and Manchester, even targeting innocent young girls at a concert hall. Radical Islamic extremism is a vile ideology that must be stamped out at every corner of the world. This is a time for unity of purpose and strong leadership. The United States, our NATO allies, and our allies in the Middle East must chart a unified course towards complete destruction of ISIS. As we begin to succeed in the fight, their resolve to attack us will only grow stronger, but we cannot be deterred. Mr. Speaker, freedom and liberty must win over hatred and extremism. We must defeat this enemy, and this Congress stands ready to support this administration in its efforts to do so.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today ahead of Memorial Day next week to honor the heroes of our Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice and service to our Nation and to thank their fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who were blessed to make it back home to their loved ones. From the Revolutionary War through the war on terror, more than 1.3 million Americans have given their lives protecting our freedoms. Today, Congress is honoring those lost by passing several bills to help protect our surviving veterans and ensure they are treated with the dignity and respect they have earned. Our bills will ensure that the VA medical centers are meeting compliance requirements, help veterans have better access to nursing home care, increase the rates for veterans' compensation for service-connected disabilities, and more. Mr. Speaker, I can think of no better way to celebrate Memorial Day and honor the memory of those lost than by helping our Nation's veterans, who have sacrificed so much to help keep America safe. I urge all of my colleagues to support these measures today and our veterans each and every day.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, this is a special week in the United States, here in our Capital, and across the country. This is National Police Week, and so I rise to honor our men and women in service across our country who wear the uniform every day: our first responders who are police officers who rush to trouble, as opposed to running from, and who put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe. Every day, they get up and keep our families safe and our communities safe. They are our heroes. So this week, Mr. Speaker, Congress has welcomed many of these policemen and -women and their families to D.C. to recognize them for their heroism and to remember those whom we have lost. In Kansas, we are all too aware of the sacrifices that law enforcement makes to keep us safe. Brad Lancaster, Dave Melton, and Brandon Collins all made the ultimate sacrifice over the last year in my district alone, and they are on my mind this week and each and every day along with the other fallen officers across our country. Mr. Speaker, let us never forget the selflessness and bravery of police officers around the country who work tirelessly each and every day to enforce our laws, protect our communities, and save lives.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight some of the important provisions in this bipartisan omnibus legislation. I want to specifically touch on the needed investments in medical research, education, and for our soldiers. It matches last year's $2 billion increase in research funding at the National Institutes of Health, the largest increase since 2003, renewing our commitment to science with a 13 percent increase in research funding over these last 2 years. It improves access to education by increasing funding for Head Start programs and restores year-round Pell grants. It invests $25 billion to rebuild our military for the 21st century and gives our troops the largest paying raise in 6 years. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, I am proud that our bill continues 13 percent reductions in spending on Congress since Republicans took control of the House of Representatives in 2011 and denies a pay increase for Members of Congress, showing the American people we are leading by example when it comes to fiscal responsibility. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life and legacy of a Kansas pioneer woman. Last week I joined my family in Yoder, Kansas, to celebrate the life and legacy of my grandma, Edna Yoder, who recently passed at the age of 105 years old. I was very close to my grandma, as many of us are to our grandparents. She was a sweet and kind woman who could tell a good story, never met a stranger, and had an infectious laugh. I spent much of my childhood listening to her hum church hymns while cooking a country meal or quilting another masterpiece. As one of 14 children, born in 1911, she grew up in another era, attending school in a one-room schoolhouse, a time without cell phones or television or even electricity and the other modern conveniences we take for granted today. Yet somehow she survived and had a remarkable life. She saw hard times from the Dust Bowl to the Great Depression to countless world events over the past century. When she was born, women didn't have the right to vote in America; but even well past turning 100 years old, she was voting in local elections, even for President of the United States. She saw a lot of Presidents come and go--19, as a matter of fact. She saw America progress from a country really still recovering from the deep wounds of our Civil War to the world's most indispensable, vital, and vibrant nation. She saw us defeat Hitler in Nazi Germany. She saw us bring freedom and peace around the globe to men, women, and children who had never experienced it before. She was born less than 10 years after Orville and Wilbur Wright took off on their first flight at Kitty Hawk, and yet she would watch Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon while she was just in her fifties. But as the world changed around her, she quietly lived her entire life near Yoder, Kansas, where she raised her children on the same farm that I grew up on. She worked tirelessly on that farm, milking cows at dawn and bringing in the Kansas wheat harvest in the hot sun. She didn't ask for much: food on the table, a roof over her head, and a better life for her children and grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, we like to call them the Greatest Generation. She was a living embodiment of the values that help make America the greatest country in the world. She was guided every day by her faith in God, and she was truly blessed with more than a century of good health and good spirits in return. She loved her family and deeply believed in hard work and self-determination. She and her husband, Orie, were married for 49 years, and together they raised their four children and nine grandchildren, and they even watched one of them make it all the way from that farm in Yoder, Kansas, to the United States House of Representatives here in Washington, D.C. Family always came first for her. In her later years, she passed the time reading her Bible, playing in the bell choir, and, of course, quilting and playing lots of games. In fact, the last time I saw her recently, we played bingo together, and we wiped out the competition at her retirement home one last time. She was sharp into her final hours. She was born into a home that did not have a telephone, but in her final days, we were also able to communicate from Kansas to Washington via FaceTime so I would have a chance to speak with her. We recently had her services at the Yoder Mennonite Church, built just after she born. This was the church she was raised in, was baptized in, was married in, and the church in which we laid her to eternal rest. From 1911 to 2017, what a ride, what a remarkable life and unforgettable woman. Through it all, she stayed true to what was important to her and what makes America such a strong nation: her faith, her family, and her Kansas prairie values. Grandma, we were so blessed to have so many years with you. You lived an amazing 105 years. I think if we look closely and we listen closely, you gave us a roadmap for a long and happy life. As you pass on to eternal life, please know that you are an inspiration to all of us every day. May you rest in peace, Grandma. Mr. Speaker, may you and my colleagues in this body join me in keeping her in your prayers.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I was not present on March 27, 2017 due to the death of my 105 year old Grandmother, Edna Yoder. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea on Roll Call vote Number 195. On Roll Call Number 196, I would have voted Yea.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to shed light on a recent eight- alarm fire in my district and to thank the firefighters and other first responders for making sure that no one was seriously hurt. The fire on Monday destroyed an apartment complex and 22 neighboring homes. Amazingly though, no one was killed or seriously injured. Three firefighters were treated for their injuries while fighting the fire, and we wish them a speedy recovery. It is a reminder of the risks that our first responders take every day, not knowing when they will have to answer the call, placing their lives on the line to protect us and our community. We pray for the families who are displaced right now, who came home from work on Monday to find their homes gone. We also thank the Christ Lutheran Church and many other community organizations and partners that have come together to assist these families who have lost so much so unexpectedly. Finally, Mr. Speaker, thank you to Overland Park Fire Department Chief Bryan Dehner and all of the firefighters in Kansas who came together to contain the largest fire in Overland Park history.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a few of my constituents who are struggling under the weight of ObamaCare. Like many Americans who are self-employed, Kim and Randall are two Kansans who obtain health insurance under the Affordable Care Act's marketplace. Kim's premiums have more than doubled from $188 to $392 per month; but, worse, her deductible has actually gone from about $700 to $6,500. Randall's premiums are even worse, coming in at around $700 per month, with a deductible of $6,800. I reference these two examples because they highlight one of the primary problems of the Affordable Care Act: coverage with deductibles approaching $7,000 really isn't coverage at all. It is health insurance in name only. This week House Republicans have rolled out the initial draft of our plan to repeal and replace the ACA. We are doing it thoughtfully and carefully through the open committee process as we speak. The bill and summaries are available online at readthebill.gop. Mr. Speaker, ObamaCare is collapsing. Let's work together as Democrats and Republicans to repair our broken healthcare system and truly give the American people access to affordable care.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, the man who perpetrated the attack in my district last week was filled with hate. He does not represent anything we believe in as Kansans and as Americans. Last night, our community sent the strong message that love will overcome hate. Thousands of concerned citizens in my district came together to support one another and our growing and vibrant Indian community in this time of great tragedy. We showed the world that our diverse political and religious views are what make our community and our country great. Mr. Speaker, in addition to this moment of silence, let us renew our commitment to treating each other with respect and embracing civility in our public discourse.

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight, heartbroken, with my friends and colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, to honor the life and memory of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot and killed last week in my district, as well as in support for Alok Madasani, who was injured, and Ian Grillot, whose heroism prevented this senseless tragedy from being much worse. I ask that my colleagues in the Chamber please join me for a moment of silence.