Lee Zeldin

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. John Moerlins. It takes a special type of person to lead a life of serving his or her community; Mr. Moerlins was that type of person. Mr. Moerlins selflessly served our great country during his early years in the United States Army and continued to serve his local community of Sound Beach, New York, through his work in federal and local agencies, and many local organizations. After serving in the Army, Mr. Moerlins came home to Long Island where he worked eighteen years as a letter carrier for the Glendale Post Office of the United States Postal Service and was a long-time member of the National Association of Letter Carriers. He later became Treasurer of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. Mr. Moerlins continued his life of service on a more local level as a valued resident of the Sound Beach Community on Long Island. He was a long-time member of the Sound Beach Civic Association, the Mt. Sinai Senior Citizens Club, and the Board of the Sound Beach Property Owners. He served as an usher in the St. Louis de Montfort R.C. Church, served on the Miller Place Board of Education, and was also extremely instrumental in the completion of many local projects. As a Veteran of the United States Armed Forces, it is fitting that Mr. Moerlins helped to secure funding to create the Sound Beach Veterans Memorial. Additionally, Mr. Moerlins was actively involved in the design of the children's park and the installation of the bus shelter in front of the post office in Sound Beach. Mr. Moerlins passed away on December 15, 2011. In addition to serving his community, Mr. Moerlins was also a loving husband, father, and grandfather who is dearly missed by his family and friends. It is my hope that many will follow in the footsteps of Mr. Moerlins and give back to their country and community as graciously as he did. People like Mr. Moerlins help make our world a much better place. Today, I thank John for his years of dedication and service to our country and community.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, only in Congress do you have a resolution presented to deauthorize the use of force because you want to authorize the use of force. It is, quite frankly, pretty insulting that you would present a proposal to this body to withdraw troops and then accuse the other side of having moral cowardice for opposing the resolution. There needs to be more mention of the President's strategy to defeat ISIS--or lack thereof. We have a duty here in Congress to set our troops up to succeed, not to fail. There has been a lot of debate with regard to the Authorization for Use of Military Force. I am proud to serve on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Chairman Royce has had multiple hearings discussing the Authorization for Use of Military Force. Secretary Kerry was before the committee. He was asked: ``Does this authorization authorize offensive action?'' He said: ``No.'' There was a five-paragraph letter since--with the authorization request--talking about the need to use Special Forces. We can't get a straight answer from this administration as to whether or not he is referring to ours. Yes, we have a duty to set our troops up to succeed, and not fail. We had a Marine general in front of the Foreign Affairs Committee. When asked whether or not the general in charge of our troops overseas in Iraq has the ability to authorize the mission to take out Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi or capture actionable intelligence, he read a paragraph that simply said that that general can make a recommendation. What is further insulting is just how many people don't even know the name of that two-star general. Not only does he not have the flexibility and resources he needs to accomplish the mission from the administration that is in charge right now, led by the Commander in Chief, my constituents--Americans--don't even know that gentleman's name. Yes, there has been a lot of debate. We have a need to protect our troops. That is why I oppose this resolution.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership on this issue. Iran is a nation led by a regime threatening the stability of the free world. That is nothing new. Iran has a long history of supporting terrorism and working to overthrow foreign governments. Since 1984, over 30 years ago, the United States has called Iran a state sponsor of terrorism, not only for their direct participation in attacks, but for their financing and other support for others who pursue terror. Iran has brought instability to the Middle East and does not act in good faith, blowing up mock U.S. warships, pledging to wipe Israel off the map, developing ICBMs, and chanting in their streets: ``Death to America.'' The Iranian Government threatens peace and democracy all across the globe. Nuclear weapons in the hands of our enemies harms the security of our freedoms and liberties that America cherishes and has worked so hard to defend. The Iranian Government came to the negotiating table dealt an impossible hand, you would think. In Texas Hold'Em, they call it a 7-2 off suit. In 2009, when the economy was doing better in Iran--oil was $100 a barrel--millions of Iranians took to the streets to overthrow their own government. The President of the United States essentially made it out to be just their problem, not ours, and did not engage. Now look at the predicament we find ourselves in here today. The President of the United States comes into office, inheriting pocket aces when he sits down at the table, and pocket aces happen to be the best hand you can have in Texas Hold'Em. The President sits down with the leadership of the Iranian Government and asks to swap hands, in the spirit of fairness and equality and good faith. Yes, the pocket aces earned on the backs of generations of Americans who have shed blood--they have fought and died to protect the United States, the greatest nation on God's green Earth--and as a negotiating style, the President swaps hands with the bad guys. As we inch closer to the June 30 deadline, I want to reinforce that a bad deal is worse than no deal at all. Mr. President, you are getting played at the table. Take a walk; it is okay. It is time to strengthen your hand. Please do not prop up this regime with tens of billions of dollars in relief from sanctions. They are using that money to finance terror and overthrow foreign governments aligned with America, and that is with a bad economy and oil half the price. Don't make a slew of permanent concessions on our side in exchange for temporary concessions on the part of the Iranians. Show strength, not weakness. Too many Americans have shed their blood to make our great Nation what it is today. We need strength in your voice and an articulation of resolve that there will be no death to America. It is not okay for Iran to wipe Israel off the map. We demand the release of our Americans being unjustly imprisoned in their nation, which includes a United States marine. Where is the passion to free Amir now and the others of our fellow citizens wrongfully kept in their jails? Play the pocket aces, Mr. President. America's greatness, its exceptionalism, its strength is nothing to ever apologize for. About a month-and-a-half ago I was with former President George Bush, and a couple things he said then strike me, and I want to reference them here today. One is very simple. He says: The world needs America to lead. We can have a different understanding or philosophy on tactics of what that means. It is something that we all know to be true. The world needs America to lead. The other was a story about him throwing out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium right after 9/11. He knew the stadium was going to be filled up. It was the World Series. It was right after 9/11. America was watching, and they were looking for something to be able to celebrate. Now, he was down getting ready to come out of the dugout, wearing a bulletproof vest, and he had a conversation with Derek Jeter. Derek Jeter asked the President whether or not he was going to throw from the top of the mound or the front of the mound, and the President answered: ``What should I do?'' Derek Jeter says: ``You have to throw from the top of the mound or they won't respect you.'' A few moments later, the President is getting ready to walk out onto the field, and Derek Jeter said one other last word of advice. His last words were: ``Don't bounce it. They will boo you.'' We need a perfect strike here, Mr. President, from the top of the mound, and don't bounce it. Don't bring home a bad deal. The resulting boos would be the least of America's problems. Right now is a time for strength and not weakness. For that reason, I once again want to thank the gentleman for bringing this important Special Order here tonight.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina for his comments. Certainly, concerns within the First Congressional District of New York are the reason this amendment is being offered. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this important amendment so as to ensure that these local issues have local control. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Chair, I am proud to represent a district that is home to some of the most scenic destinations in the country, and all forms of transportation are part of our tourism economy. Yet, with the high season upon us, many of my constituents are finding themselves bewildered by actions of the FAA. Federal agencies ought to stand by their word and keep their commitments to Members of Congress and to the citizens we represent. In 2012, the FAA made assurances to my predecessor that, in light of a 2005 court settlement between the FAA and a community group, the town of East Hampton, New York, would not be subject to certain regulations after December 31, 2014, when certain grant assurances expired and, thus, could adopt restrictions on the use of their airport without FAA approval. The FAA has written that the town can proceed on certain course and not fear FAA reprisal for their actions. Earlier this spring, the democratically elected town board passed a set of airport regulations-- all predicated on the FAA's written assurance to not take negative action against the town. Recently, however, the FAA has started wavering. I am offering this amendment, which is 100 percent consistent with the prior written assurance made by the FAA. This amendment will hold the FAA to its word on this critical local issue, a local issue that should have a local solution--bring all sides to the table to improve the quality of life on the East End this high season. Madam Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support this effort. The people of the East End communities across Long Island and around America deserve straight answers and follow-through from government agencies. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. I want to thank Mr. Royce from California for his leadership on this issue as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as well as Mr. Engel from New York for his leadership as the ranking member. Americans want to know what is in an Iran nuclear deal. They want their Representatives in Congress to debate it. If facts come out that it turns out that this is a bad deal, which many are concerned we are on that pace for, they want Congress to reject it. I have had colleagues just now listening to those speaking in opposition talking about a nuclear framework agreement that was announced last month, people saying it is a good deal. There is no framework agreement. The President released a fact sheet, and within 24 hours the Iranian Foreign Minister went on his Twitter feed saying it was just spin, the Ayatollah chanting ``death to America'' on the streets of Iran, saying that that fact sheet was just spin. In order to have a deal to reach an agreement, both sides need to agree. The message to the colleagues today, I mean, this vote matters, but the work is not over. The tough work, the tough votes are still ahead. Let's talk about what is not even part of the negotiations: Iran's state sponsorship of terrorism, work to overthrow foreign governments, development of ICBMs, pledging to wipe Israel off the map, chanting ``death to America'' on the streets, unjustly imprisoning United States citizens. That is not even part of the deal. That is not even part of the negotiations. I want to read it. My constituents want to read a deal in English. They want to know that it is accurately translated, and the Iranians are reading their deal the same way that we are. If there is no agreement on specific terms, is there broad, vague language being used so that both sides can spin whatever they want to interpret this deal is for whatever best serves their own domestic politics? We are elected to represent our constituents, and they are concerned about the direction of this deal. I have grave concerns. I feel like it is on pace to trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. I urge a ``yes'' vote. I thank the chairman, again, for his effort on this.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Royce for his leadership on the Foreign Affairs Committee, as well as Ranking Member Engel, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Meadows, Ms. Meng, and Mr. Tom Price of Georgia. This has been a strong bipartisan effort that was started before I came to Congress this past January. Some of my fellow lead cosponsors on this bill have worked tirelessly over years. America's greatness is nothing to apologize for. We are a great, free, exceptional nation. Being the leader of the free world is, this body, today, passing legislation, the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act, to tackle a rising threat in the Middle East and to United States interests all around the world. American leadership is on display here in the Halls of Congress. Hezbollah has helped Assad fight Syrian rebels in that country. It is estimated that Iran has provided Hezbollah $60 million to $100 million per year in financial assistance. The Dubai-based Gulf Research Center estimates Hezbollah's armed wing at about 1,000 full-time fighters and 6,000 to 10,000 volunteers. According to the Iranian Fars News Agency, Hezbollah has up to 65,000 fighters. This legislation, H.R. 2297, addresses the need to pursue foreign banks that knowingly do business with entities that facilitate Hezbollah's activities. This legislation addresses the need to counter Hezbollah's other criminal enterprises, which include money laundering and counterfeiting of goods and pharmaceuticals. Madam Speaker, this legislation helps address the need to obtain more information on Hezbollah's fundraising, financing, and money-laundering networks. It requires the administration to provide a comprehensive overview of countries supporting Hezbollah as well as those countries that aren't doing enough. Again, I thank Chairman Royce for his leadership with this legislation, Mr. Engel, and my fellow co-lead sponsors as we tackle this rising tide of radical Islamic extremism in the Middle East with Hezbollah, Hamas, al Qaeda, Boko Haram, and ISIS. Every day, our 24- hour news cycle is dominated with our constituents watching, reading, and hearing about this threat that exists in the Middle East, understanding that if we do not defeat it overseas, we will be facing it here at home. Madam Speaker, I am proud to stand with my fellow co-leads and my colleagues from both parties as American exceptionalism is on display here. I rise in support today, and I encourage my colleagues to vote for this legislation.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, this week we celebrate National Police Week, when we recognize the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty while serving to protect us. National Police Week began in 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that falls as Police Week. The memorial service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, National Police Week has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation's Capital each year. National Police Week draws in between 25,000 and 40,000 participants. The National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, which is sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, is one in a series of events which includes the candlelight vigil, which is sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, and seminars sponsored by Concerns of Police Survivors. The attendees come from departments throughout the United States as well as from agencies throughout the world. This provides a unique opportunity to meet others who share a common brotherhood. Our police force all around America plays an essential role in our communities, putting their lives on the line every day to protect us. Just last week, in my home State of New York, a member of the NYPD, 25-year-old Brian Moore from Long Island, was killed in the line of duty. I would like to take this opportunity to speak for so many fellow Long Islanders who want his family to know that Brian remains in our thoughts and our prayers during this very difficult time. Marc Mogil, a Floridian and former New Yorker, recently wrote to me very passionately, defending the law enforcement community, stating in part: ``Police officers merit our unwavering appreciation and support as loyal Americans and our awareness of the traditional and touching parting words almost always used amongst them: `stay safe.' '' It is my strongly held belief that no child should grow up fearing or lacking respect for law enforcement. And for those who consider themselves to be protesters, who resort to violence and stealing and burning down a church-run senior center, you lose any shot of moral high ground when you resort to those tactics. It is so unfortunate that today, in our society, we have this antipolice culture, with people acting with unjustified acts of violence against our police force. Our police serve and protect us to keep our communities and citizens safe. This week, we honor them for their acts of selfless courage and leadership in our community.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Technical Sergeant William C. Phelon, Jr. and his distinguished contributions to the United States Army Air Force. Mr. Phelon enlisted in the US Army Air Force immediately after graduating from Mineola High School in June of 1943 and entered active service August 16th 1943, the height of American involvement in World War Two. Mr. Phelon served valiantly for three years until March of 1946. Technical Sergeant Phelon flew as part of the illustrious 96th Bombardment Group as the Radio Operator Mechanic and Waist Gunner of a B-17 Flying Fortress. In this capacity he was responsible for all radio equipment aboard the B-17 while in flight. Technical Sergeant Phelon received many medals and awards as a result of his meritorious service to his country, including the prestigious U.S. Army Air Forces Air Medal. In his position as airman, Technical Sergeant Phelon participated in Operation Chowhound; a humanitarian mission that helped deliver over 11,000 tons of food to Nazi occupied Holland during the Dutch Famine. This mission was so appreciated by the Dutch people that commemorative ceremonies have been held every five years in Holland to remember the service men that helped feed their starving people. The Third Air Division of the 8th Air Force was responsible for delivering 4,103 tons of food of which the 96th Bombardment Group dropped 366 tons. For his efforts Technical Sergeant Phelon was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross by Governor Thomas Dewey on behalf of the people of New York. Sadly, Mr. Phelon passed away in December, 2014. I rise today in memory of a brave man who was an exemplary member of the Armed Forces and the community at large, and to posthumously thank him for his years of dedication and service. I hope we all remember the courage and dedication shown by Mr. Phelon in all he did.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Corporal William C. Phelon, Jr. and his distinguished contributions to the United States Air Force. Mr. Phelon enlisted in the United States Air Force immediately after graduating from Mineola High School in June of 1943 and entered active service August 16, 1943, at the height of American involvement in World War Two. Mr. Phelon served valiantly until he left the service in March of 1946. Corporal Phelon flew as part of the illustrious 96th Bombardment Group, serving as a Radio Operator Mechanic and Waist Gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress. He was responsible for all radio equipment aboard the B-17 while in flight. In his position as Airman, Corporal Phelon participated in Operation Chowhound, a humanitarian mission which delivered over 11,000 tons of food to Nazi-occupied Holland during the Dutch Famine. This mission was so appreciated by the Dutch people that commemorative ceremonies have been held every five years in Holland to remember the men who helped feed their starving people. The Third Air Division of the 8th Air Force was responsible for delivering 4,103 tons of food, of which the 96th Bombardment Group dropped 366 tons. For his efforts, Corporal Phelon was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross by Governor Thomas Dewey on behalf of the people of New York. Sadly, Mr. Phelon passed away in December of 2014. I rise today in memory of a brave man who was an exemplary member of the Armed Forces and the community at large, and to posthumously thank him for his years of dedication and service. I hope we all remember the courage and dedication shown by Mr. Phelon in everything he did.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Thank you, Mr. DeSantis. Thank you for your leadership on this critically important issue. I also appreciate your pointing out the hypocrisy of the Obama administration having nothing to say as the Ayatollah, the people of Iran, and the leadership of the Iranian Government talk about death to America, and this President does nothing, excusing it--it is okay because of the hard-liners in Iran. Yet he will be critical of the Israeli Prime Minister, who is speaking of the lack of viability of a two-state solution. I really appreciate your leadership on all of these issues and pointing out the very hypocritical position. Madam Speaker, I am here today to articulate some of my concerns with the current status of the Iran nuke talks. Just recently, the President announced a framework agreement with Iran. At that time he released a fact sheet. That fact sheet, within 24 hours, saw the Iranian Foreign Minister going on his Twitter feed disputing that fact sheet and calling it just spin. Both sides, the Obama administration and the Iranian Government, are both spinning in different directions for their own domestic politics what isn't even in agreement. An agreement requires a meeting of the minds. When you announce an agreement and both sides are disputing what the terms of that agreement are, there is no agreement. I don't know if anyone believes that the negotiators purposely left off a signature block on that fact sheet. Let's talk about what is not included: Iran's state sponsorship of terrorism, Iran blowing up mock USS warships, talking about the need to erase Israel from the map, Iran's development of ICBMs, and overthrowing foreign governments. These aren't even part of the negotiations. Nothing is being reported to the American people about how individuals who are U.S. citizens are being wrongfully held in captivity by the Iranian Government. This President's tactics with these negotiations, regardless of who the next President of the United States will be, these tactics are cutting off the leverage of that next President who may be emboldened in ways that this President isn't to tackle those challenges of the ways Iran sponsors terrorism throughout the Middle East and around the globe. These talks are on pace to trigger a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Iran is not negotiating in good faith, and they smell American weakness, not American strength. The Obama administration believes that the only option is to cut a deal just to cut a deal. This President should instead, with strength and courage as the leader of the free world, be bringing the Iranians to their knees. That is what strength looks like. If you want to change sanctions, strengthen them. Don't weaken them. Madam Speaker, in 2009, the Iranians were emboldened, contesting what was supposed to be a democratic election that was widely viewed as being full of corruption. Where was President Obama in 2009 when this opportunity presented itself for the Iranian people while oil was $100 a barrel? Our President could have exercised leadership then, and we would not even be here today. The President says that the only option is to cut this deal just to cut a deal. I don't buy that there aren't other options to pursue. As I talk to colleagues, really, on both sides of the aisle, sharing concern with the direction of these nuke talks, there is resolve and commitment to find a third strategy. If that time comes, where the President of the United States believes he must threaten the use of dropping a bomb, he must be prepared to do it and threaten to drop 20 more. If that time in the future comes where this President or the next has to then drop another bomb, threaten to drop 50 more. Our enemies do not respect weakness; they only respect strength. But today as we stand here in this stage of these Iran nuke talks, I stand with my colleagues who know that there is a third option that this President is not telling the American people about for his own domestic politics. I challenge our President with strength to bring the Iranian Government to their knees. You are the leader of the free world. Act like it.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Robert Lee Fink for his 50 years of dedicated service to the field of Emergency Medical Services. Bob's EMS career began when he was just 12 years old, when he witnessed an 8 year old unconscious boy being pulled from a public swimming pool. The boy was placed upon the ground, but no one rendered aid to him. This was before CPR, but as a Sea Scout, Bob was taught the Holger-Nielson back pressure arm lift, which saved the boy's life. This is what drove Bob to become a lifeguard, a career he officially began at 16 when he took his first CPR and first aid classes through the City of New York. A few years later, Bob was granted a waiver by the Mayor of New York City to become the first lay person to be a CPR instructor. After graduating college, Bob had a successful 20 year career promoting health and fitness as a Physical Education teacher in Bedford Stuyvesant. In 1977, Bob became an EMT and then in 1979, he became a Critical Care EMT. A few years later, in 1988, Bob was honored with the New York State Advanced Medical Technician of the year. This honor was bestowed upon him for saving the life of a 12 year old boy who was submerged in the waters of Lake Ronkonkoma. Bob went on to become an EMT instructor in 1996, and since then, he has prepared thousands of students to become EMT's and Critical Care EMT's. At the age of 60, Bob returned to school yet again to become a Paramedic as one of the oldest students in his class at St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Center. To this day, Bob remains dedicated to serving the public, continuing to volunteer and serve his community as a mentor and a Paramedic. Today, I thank and congratulate Bob for his 50 years of dedication and service.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Chairman, I think this would be a very good learning moment because States were receiving hundreds of millions, into the billions of dollars, from the Federal Government. They had to sign up for Common Core in order to get the money.

Mr. ZELDIN. No. Let me----

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

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Chairman, I will continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise this evening in support of my amendment that sends a very clear message to States that if they choose to withdraw from Common Core, there will be no penalty whatsoever from the Federal Government. As a New York State Senator, I introduced legislation with New York State Assemblymen Al Graf and Ed Ra that would stop Common Core in New York. In New York, we have these Common Core standards set nationally, tests created by the State, curriculum set by the local school districts, and no one is talking to each other; teachers not only teaching to the test, but they are teaching to the wrong test because they are not given the tools they need to know what the test is even going to look like. And for any government Kool Aid-drinking bureaucrat who is listening to this and disagreeing with what I have to say, you are not listening to those parents and educators and students who are pleading with passion exactly what I am saying, begging for a positive change that will improve the quality of education in America's classrooms. The most common argument I received in opposition to my bill was that if New York State withdrew from Common Core, that somehow the Federal Government was going to punish New York State with hundreds of millions of dollars lost--some even said billions of dollars. This amendment is the most important action that this Congress can take to diffuse those claims and allow States to withdraw without punishment. As for my strong personal opinion, I believe in higher standards, but I don't believe that Common Core is the answer. This goes way beyond the complaints of killing morale in the teaching profession. Much more importantly, this is about killing the morale for that student who is intelligent, pays attention in class, goes home and does their homework. They are going to grow up to be a doctor or a lawyer or a successful businessman. They are being told that they are not proficient in reading--not because they are not proficient in reading, but because the rollout of Common Core has been a disaster. We have 10-year-old special education students taking fifth grade tests even if they are reading at a first grade reading level. Or you can go on the EngageNY Web site and read about how first graders, the domain for English language arts, early world civilizations, they are learning about ancient world Mesopotamia and the strategic advantage of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers with regard to the development of the city of Babylon--6-year-olds, first graders. As a father of twin third grade girls, I believe in higher standards. I believe in challenging our students to excel and to aim as high as possible. But when it comes to all of America's children, there just shouldn't be a one-size-fits-all approach. While some States embrace Common Core, not all States' needs are the same. My amendment would allow States currently using Common Core to opt out without punishment. Parents need to be in charge of their children's education, not unelected, faceless bureaucrats making unilateral decisions for the entire Nation. A one-size-fits-all solution to education reform intensifies the problem, and it doesn't address our underlying issues. We want to provide the best possible opportunities for our children, and the people best positioned to make those decisions are our parents and our local educators. I ask my colleagues to support my amendment, hear the concerns of our parents and educators, and heed the call to rescue our schoolchildren. It is like when they fall into the deep end of a pool, they don't have a lifejacket, they don't yet know how to swim. That is what it feels like for many of them. This is a vote for residents in your district who aren't even old enough to vote. Fight for them and pass this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ZELDIN. There were applications that were sent from New York State, for example, to the Federal Government signed by the New York State congressional delegation asking for a waiver from the Federal Government, asking for money from the Federal Government to New York State that went to over 700 school districts to sign up for Common Core and all sorts of other things that came from the Federal Government. So I appreciate this as a learning moment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time to Mr. Scott.

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

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Section 4: ``The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened), against domestic violence.''