Kevin Yoder

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. I have a 20-month-old daughter, and this isn't just about curing the disease for our generation; it is about curing the disease for her generation and every generation to follow. Supporting the 21st Century Cures bill bends the cost curve on entitlements; it saves our country from going into bankruptcy, and it helps us balance our budget. These investments are not just necessary for our moral imperative to save lives, but they are also an economic imperative. All those things together means we ought to have a robust, large vote in this House to pass this rule and to ensure that the 21st Century Cures bill goes forward. I strongly support it, and I ask my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. YODER

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

Mr. YODER. Mr. Chairman, my amendment today would prohibit further waste of Federal funds from being used to enforce the unnecessary listing of the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Now, this listing has Americans crying foul in Kansas and all across the country over the burden it places on farmers, ranchers, and agriculture producers. This misguided listing comes at a time when the lesser prairie chicken is actually becoming the greater prairie chicken, in some respects, gaining in population significantly each of the last several years. Less than 1 week ago, a new population count for the lesser prairie chicken was released, and it shows a 25 percent increase in the species population over the last year. That follows a 20 percent increase from the year before. What is to account for all this? Is it the listing on the endangered species list? No--these population increases, according to experts, are attributed to improved habitat conditions, as a result of increased rainfall to an area that had previously been experiencing one of the worst droughts since the infamous Dust Bowl. Now, not a single drop of this rainfall can be attributed to the central planners in Washington, D.C., nor can this listing have any effect on making it rain in places like Kansas. We need to let State and local municipalities and States work together to create these conservation plans to help produce the populations we need for the lesser prairie chicken. In fact, five States with habitat areas--Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado--already have a locally driven, areawide plan in place known as the lesser prairie chicken rangewide conservation plan. It has broad stakeholder support to conserve and replenish the lesser prairie chicken population. Now, we have an opportunity today, as Democrats and Republicans, to flock together, to break out of our shells, to work with States and localities and delist the lesser prairie chicken. Keeping it in place makes it harder on hard-working farmers to grow crops and feed our Nation, and it makes it harder for energy producers to produce renewable or traditional energy. All of that increases the cost at the grocery store or at the pump for average everyday working Americans. This cost of the listing is having little to no impact; this is while the cost of this listing has little to no impact on the ever-growing population. That growth is coming from States and localities working hand in hand with farmers and producers; yet, as these ineffective Federal burdens go up, so does the cost of doing business in America. Now, that is truly something to crow about. Let's work together. Let's let States recoup and conserve and grow the lesser prairie chicken populations, and let's pass this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. YODER. Mr. Chairman, at this time, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from western Kansas (Mr. Huelskamp), my friend and colleague.

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

Mr. YODER. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), the chairman of the committee.

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

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today for a very special occasion, to wish my grandmother, Edna Yoder, a happy 104th birthday. That is right. She is 104 years of age. The Lord has blessed my grandmother with great health and longevity, and I cannot be more thankful for her or proud of my grandmother on her birthday this upcoming Sunday. She is a true example of what has made America such a strong and vibrant nation. Born in 1911 and one of 14 children, she worked tirelessly on the farm, milking cows at dawn and bringing in the wheat harvest in the hot Kansas sun. She has seen hard times, and she has seen good times over the past 104 years with a front seat to the great American century, but through it all, her faith in God and love of family define her life. She is a sweet, caring, and loving woman who continues to inspire me each and every day in so many ways. Today, Grandma, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I wish you a very happy 104th birthday.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. I appreciate the chairman for yielding time in this debate. I want to thank Chairman Diaz-Balart, Chairman Rogers, Ranking Member Price, and Ranking Member Lowey for their work in putting together what is, I think, one of the best bills to come through Congress as we debate how to balance our challenges with our budget and how to make sure we enhance safety and improve our economy all at the same time. Mr. Chairman, this is one of the earliest opportunities we have had to debate this piece of legislation in the appropriations process since 1974, which is a commendable achievement. I want to thank Chairman Diaz-Balart for his leadership, and I ask for the body to support this good piece of legislation. There are really three great reasons to support this bill. First of all, it is great for the economy as we invest in our Nation's critical transportation projects and programs and invest in housing projects to help America's poverty families all across our districts. It helps to promote safety enhancement on our infrastructure by ensuring that our roads, rails, and airways are safe for all Americans. It increases funding for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; it increases funding for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and it increases funding for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration--all to help protect the safety of Americans. It works to enhance the responsible efforts to spend money in this capital. Most Americans know Washington is spending too much money, and our budget is not in balance. It is a tough job, and I commend the committee for doing the hard work to ensure that we are good stewards of taxpayer dollars, so as to keep to the balanced budget agreement that the House and Senate passed for the first time since 2001. The bill also works towards needed policy achievements that would help farmers in my State of Kansas or that would help keep the cost of goods down for hard-working Americans because the prices at the grocery stores are too high. In Kansas, for example, the bill helps to ensure that Kansas laws are in parity with States like Nebraska and Oklahoma when it comes to the length of a trailer that custom harvesters can use. This is a provision that is supported by the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Kansas Department of Agriculture. I would ask my colleagues from across the aisle to listen to the leaders in Kansas. The leaders of public safety in Kansas and those within the highway patrol support this provision. Let's not subject the will of Washington over the will of people in Kansas when it comes to helping farmers with truck length for custom harvesters. It works to eliminate the number of trucks that are on the road. This bill's actually extending the trailer length will eliminate 6.6 million truck trips; it will save 1.3 billion miles driven; it will reduce carbon emissions by 4.4 billion pounds annually, and it will eliminate the need for every ninth truck in our economy. Truck tonnage is projected to grow by 23 percent over the next 12 years, so it makes sense to move freight in fewer trucks. The bill also works to enhance a program we started last year for short line rail safety, which would help short line rail companies across this country have the ability to have a stronger and sustainable safety culture as they move more and more of our goods. Mr. Chairman, this is a good bill. It promotes safety; it promotes our economy, and it creates jobs. I urge the bipartisan support of this legislation to help the American economy.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the President signed into law the USA Freedom Act. It is a bill I oppose because I believe it continues to allow unwarranted intrusions into the innocent lives of Americans in contradiction to the vision of our Founders and our Constitution. But what is most important to remember about this debate is that even with the reforms in the USA Freedom Act, a provision of law in the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, on the books since 1986, still allows government investigators to read the emails, texts, and information stored in the cloud or on any server of all Americans, at any time, without a warrant, without probable cause, and without any due process. Our Federal law gives digital communication little to no protections under the Fourth Amendment, regardless of the reforms signed into law yesterday. A lot has changed in email communication since 1986, and that is why we must pass the Email Privacy Act, a broad bipartisan bill with over 270 cosponsors which would give email, digital communication, the same Fourth Amendment protections as paper mail or letters on our desks. Mr. Speaker, let's pass this legislation. Let's pass H.R. 699, and let's assure the American people that government has moved into the 21st century and not forgotten the Constitution along the way.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of one of the most dedicated teachers of the Third Congressional District in Kansas. Nancy Bonneau Worth is shutting the doors to her Brookwood Elementary classroom for summer break for the last time next week. She's ending a thirty year career as an educator, twenty of them at Brookwood. It began at Norman Rockwell Elementary School in her home state of Nebraska. She then moved to Great Bend, Kansas, where she worked for a short period at Barton County Community College before transitioning to a special education teacher in the Great Bend School District. Her Masters in Speech Pathology brought her to the Third District to teach at the Kansas School for the Deaf before moving on to Nall Hills Elementary, and eventually Brookwood. In fact, she integrated sign language into her teaching even after she left KSD by teaching her students to sign the Pledge of Allegiance every morning before school. Hundreds of successful children, teenagers, and young adults throughout Kansas have called Mrs. Worth their teacher over the years-- and are better people because of it. Congratulations on your retirement, Mrs. Worth and thank you for everything you have done for Kansans. Your impact on our district and state is immeasurable.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, today millions of Americans will take their hard-earned income through toil and labor and send a significant portion of that sweat equity to Washington, D.C., for this Congress to spend, sending trillions to continue to feed a bloated and inefficient government. According to the IRS, Americans have spent 6.1 billion hours and $168 billion just simply having their tax returns prepared. These taxpayers bear a heavy burden for our actions here. Last year our Federal Government took in more money from the American people than ever before. Washington doesn't have a revenue problem; it has a spending problem, which is easy for Congress because they are spending other people's money. Americans expect, when they send their tax dollars to Washington, D.C., that we will be good stewards of that money, that we will treat it with the respect for the American people that worked hard to earn it and send it here. So today, as Americans head to the post office to drop their returns before the deadline, we owe them a great debt of gratitude; and in that, I ask that Congress renew its efforts to reduce spending, reform programs, balance our budget, and reduce the heavy weight of the tax burden on these hard-working American people.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of three people who were victims of a horrific shooting that took place in Overland Park, Kansas, 1 year ago. On April 13, 2014, the lives of Reat Underwood, William Corporon, and Terri Lamanno were tragically cut short as a self-described anti-Semite opened fire at the Jewish Community Center and Village Shalom retirement community in Overland Park, killing all three victims. But rather than divide our community, this hate-filled act of unspeakable violence has turned into love, faith, and kindness to one another and has caused a groundswell of unity to show that Kansas is a State where people of all religions can call home. One hero from that day was Mindy Corporon. Mindy lost both her father and her son on the same day. Mindy has been a symbol for courage, as she has turned her loss and pain into kindness and understanding in our community. Mr. Speaker, now 1 year later Mindy, this week, is helping lead a program entitled SevenDays: Make a Ripple, Change the World. It is a week full of events to encourage every citizen to be a force for goodness and kindness and unity in our community and in the world; and in doing so, it is a reminder that each of us can make a ripple and help change the world.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, Americans have a choice of two contrasting visions for our Nation's future. One vision features higher taxes, more debt, and greater burdens on hardworking families. The administration's budget would drown our Nation $27 trillion in debt. It would never ever balance. Its proponents pat themselves on the back for running these annual deficits, saying they have and could be worse. Only in D.C. is a half- trillion dollar deficit greeted with a pat on the back. Further, if Congress had accepted the administration's previous budget proposals, the Federal Government would be 20 percent larger today, more bloated, and less efficient. The other vision put forth by Congress leads to a balanced budget at the end of the decade, and it stops devastating tax increases. The congressional budget reduces spending by over $5.5 trillion and calls for a fairer and simpler Tax Code so small businesses can create jobs and provide the better-paying jobs Americans are desperate for. Mr. Speaker, Congress' proposal actually invests in the future and places our Nation on a path towards paying off our debt--rather than adding to it--by making government more efficient, effective, and accountable. Now is the time for the parties to work together to implement a vision that keeps our Nation on the path to prosperity, that keeps debt off the backs of working families, and that balances our Federal budget.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this administration's continued policy of governing from behind closed doors and using the executive branch to take more freedom away from the American people. Today the Federal Communications Commission will vote for an unprecedented expansion of its authority over the Internet, without providing any public discourse on the details of the proposal. What we do know about this government invasion into the Internet is deeply troubling. The Internet has been a source of great creativity, investment, and economic growth, an area of freedom, where innovation has flourished and entrepreneurs, startups, and anyone with an idea has opportunity. What is Washington's answer to this booming marketplace? Government control and regulation. One of the Commissioners has referred to it as ``a solution that won't work to a problem that doesn't exist.'' This is deeply troubling. I know of no industry that has become more vibrant, more free, or led to more innovation after a government takeover. Allowing the FCC to designate the Internet a regulated utility will increase taxes and allow government to decide pricing, cost, content, or anything else. This is the camel's nose under the tent. The FCC should release its proposals and allow the American people back behind its closed doors.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the President's budget proposal which was released yesterday. While I appreciate the President putting forth his vision for the future of our Nation, that vision is neither one that our Nation can afford, nor one that I can support. Each year, the President brings us a budget that increases spending, raises taxes, and seeks trillions upon trillions of new debt upon our great Nation. If the Republican-led House had agreed to these budget requests, our Federal Government would be 20 percent larger today. This year, the President's budget proposal proposes another $8.5 trillion in deficits that will push our debt to well over $26 trillion in the next 10 years, slowing our economy and leaving the next generation with the legacy of higher taxes and less opportunity. Mr. Speaker, we must work together--Democrats and Republicans--to balance our budget by cutting wasteful spending, holding the line on spending increases, reforming programs, and reducing the size of government. Kansans know and the American people know that a leaner, more efficient and effective government is critical to strengthening our economy and creating prosperity and opportunity for every American.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today humbled and thankful for the opportunity to represent the people of the great State of Kansas for a third time. As we begin the 114th Congress, we start with renewed optimism for a fresh start for the American people. I am proud to join my colleagues here in the people's House from both sides of the aisle from across our great Nation as we work together to try to repair this institution and to represent the voices of the American people. Mr. Speaker, last week we took steps to create jobs and unleash our economy by authorizing construction of the Keystone pipeline, rolling back job-killing portions of ObamaCare, and helping our heroic veterans get back to work. This week we will move decisively to stop the flow of illegal immigration into our country and to reestablish the rule of law and to adhere to the Constitution that governs our great Nation. Mr. Speaker, the American people are counting on us. Now is the time for bold leadership to do great things. Now is the time for the people's House to rise to the challenge and to stand up for the American people.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Section 2: ``The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.'' Amendment XVI: ``The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.''

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, with each new day brings new opportunities for our Congress to work together and solve problems on behalf of the American people. As the 113th Congress comes to a close, we do so leaving almost 400 bills that have passed the people's House that we sent to the Senate which create jobs, reduce government waste, and support investment in our Nation's future; yet these bills were never even considered or voted upon by the Senate, and they were never heard from again. As evidenced by the recent elections, the American people reject this blatant partisanship, they reject the dysfunction of the Senate, and they reject the unilateral action by the executive branch to run roughshod over the voice of the people. As the national debt soared past $18 trillion last week, we were reminded that it is time to roll up our sleeves and get to work to reduce spending and balance our budgets, to promote energy independence, and to create jobs and grow our economy, to fix our broken immigration system, and to ensure the safety and security of the American people. Mr. Speaker, we know there is much work to be done. As we turn to hopeful optimism for the next Congress, let's turn the page together, and let's renew our great Nation.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Achieving Better Life Experience Act, commonly known as the ABLE Act. In our Nation, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to realize their dreams, that each American should be able to have the tools and capabilities to build a bright future. Yet millions of families in our country struggle with the challenges of raising children with special needs like autism and Down syndrome. The ABLE Act doesn't put more burdens on the government or grow bureaucratic Federal programs; rather, it provides families with the opportunity to invest their own earnings in the care for their disabled children, like education, transportation, and other tools that help prepare their children for a future of independent living, without having to be taxed on those savings. These flexible savings tools will help families maintain greater financial security as they strive to raise their children to contribute to society in productive ways. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues in the House to stand up for these families, like Rachel Mast and her family in Kansas, to ensure that we do everything to fight for their future, too.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, recent insecurity throughout the world is a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in defending our Nation against those who wish to attack us and destroy our American values. Tomorrow is the 13th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and once again, we pause to remember the innocent lives lost at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the heroes on Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. We also pay tribute to the brave men and women who answered the call of duty and have courageously joined the Armed Forces to serve our Nation and fight the global war on terror. September 11, 2001, changed our great Nation. It awakened us to the ever-present threat by those who wish to attack our country and our citizens, but it also stiffened our resolve and unified our Nation. Immediately after the horrific attacks, we came together as a nation, American spirit running high, and we emerged determined and stronger than ever before. As we combat today's threats, our American spirit is enduring, and our leadership in the world is the strongest tool we have against terror. God bless America.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, the Sunflower State has a long and proud history of Kansans answering a call of duty to serve their country. From pre-Civil War battles to keep Kansas a free State, to brothers joining arms to fight for democracy in wars around the globe, to today's battles fighting terrorism in remote and dangerous places, Kansans proudly step up to serve when asked, time and time again. Kansas is now home to more than 220,000 veterans, courageous men and women who have honored our Nation by sacrificing and serving; yet, sadly, our Nation does not always honor them. I have been heartbroken to see how some of our veterans are treated when returning home from service. Mr. Speaker, it is past time that Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate, unite on legislation that would fix the problems in the VA, that would give our veterans in long waiting lines options to receive quicker and better care when needed and legislation that would ensure that adequate resources are available to care for posttraumatic stress disorder and other injuries sustained in today's battles. Mr. Speaker, our veterans have honored and fought for us. How about we, as a Congress, honor and fight for them.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, Senator Bob Dole, born and raised in Russell, Kansas, and a graduate of the University of Kansas, has spent his life in the service of the American people and today remains the embodiment of public service. On Tuesday, Kansans from all across the Sunflower State wished him a happy 91st birthday. Senator Dole enlisted in the Army once the U.S. entered World War II and was stationed in Italy. While leading an assault on a German machine gun nest, Senator Dole's unit was heavily fired upon. Without hesitation, Senator Dole courageously returned to help rescue an injured radioman--he, himself, suffering life-threatening injuries. Many Army medics didn't think Senator Dole would survive. With a strong spirit and steadfast resolve common to many Kansans, Senator Dole not only survived, but he returned home to the Sunflower State and spent many years in elected service on behalf of Kansans, including in the State house, as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and runs as Vice President and President of the United States. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great sense of pride to that I wish my good friend and fellow Jayhawk, Senator Bob Dole, a happy 91st birthday and many more to come. Happy birthday, Senator Dole.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, the House Appropriations Committee has been busy doing the hard work the American people expect, working in a bipartisan way to pass the needed appropriations bills required to fund the various agencies and programs in our Federal Government. We have focused on reducing and reforming spending, while prioritizing funding for important programs--for job training, cancer research, and veterans' programs--while holding the line on out-of- control government waste. With the passage this week of the House Financial Services Appropriations bill, led by Chairman Crenshaw, we will have passed seven of the 12 required appropriations bills across the House floor. We will continue our work to finish the job. Mr. Speaker, as my House colleagues on both sides of the aisle do the hard work to control spending and reform government programs, sadly, the Senate has yet to take up one spending bill. As the September 30 deadline approaches, I thank my House colleagues, and hope springs eternal that the Senate someday may take up a spending bill under regular order.

Mr. YODER

Mr. YODER. Mr. Speaker, the House is back in session to continue our work, but millions of hardworking Americans still find it difficult to get those good-paying jobs to keep their American Dreams alive. Small businesses, responsible for two-thirds of all new jobs created in our economy, continue to struggle to stay afloat. That is why the House must pass pro-jobs legislation to provide economic opportunities for all Americans to succeed. As you know, Mr. Speaker, we have passed 40 bills that reduce red tape for businesses, lower electric bills for American families, cut regulatory burdens, and reform the Tax Code. Sadly, these bills are held up in the Senate. Now, we can continue to help hardworking Americans by passing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act--bipartisan legislation that promotes needed job skills training for high-demand jobs, streamlines burdensome Federal mandates, reduces administrative costs and unnecessary bureaucracy, and provides more accountability when spending tax dollars. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense legislation. These are the kinds of pro- growth, pro-jobs bills the American people expect from their Congress.