Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the bill that is on the floor. The very fact that we have this bill on the floor deserves some attention. We have an appropriations bill on the energy and water responsibilities of the Federal…

The law of the land is Article I of the Constitution. Congress has the power of the purse to appropriate funds, and Congress appropriated the funds in 2016, but the IRS is not following that appropriately. This is wrong.

The IRS OWES Act is about protecting the American taxpayer, those who elected us to represent them, from an IRS proven incapable of best serving their interests. President Thomas Jefferson said: ``When the people fear the government, there…

What I am talking about is that Congress appropriated the necessary resources. The gentleman is talking about there being over $11 billion to the IRS, and they cannot appropriate the funds correctly.

The question that we have before us is: Did we appropriate adequate funding for taxpayer services?

I thank the gentleman from Arkansas. We certainly are appreciative of all the remarks of my colleagues who are here this evening--and Mr. Hardy, who is following--with regard to this important issue and something that the Speaker is…

Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to support the Fallen Heroes Flag Act of 2016, S. 2755. This bipartisan legislation will create a program to provide Capitol-flown flags to the immediate family members of firefighters, law enforcement…

The Federal Trade Commission recently ranked the St. Louis metropolitan area, my district and hometown, as having the highest rate of identity theft regarding Federal income tax returns. This is absolutely unacceptable and why I introduced…

Today, the House will consider H.R. 3791, legislation to raise the consolidated asset threshold under the Federal Reserve's small bank holding company policy statement. To say that the current regulatory environment presents challenges for…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Taxes and the National Debt

Mr. President, it is springtime in Missouri. Whether it is in our State that joins the Presiding Officer's State of Oklahoma or in Iowa, we are seeing trees begin to bloom. It was great to be home the 2 weeks we were home and again last…

Mr. President, I want to talk a little about the Court and the vacancy on the Court. First of all, I want to express my shared concern with my good friend from Delaware about what is happening in Iran and how we are reacting to what is…

Mr. President, today the Senate is taking a second step to deal with a public health crisis that is destroying lives and damaging communities across the Nation, the epidemic of opioid and heroin abuse. Step 1 late last year was to reduce…

The great outdoors and hunting traditions of the United States are a way of life for folks all over our great country. Throughout our history, they have been championed by Presidents George Washington, Dwight Eisenhower, and Teddy…

I have an amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 71, Line 13, insert ``the Mark Twain National Forest in the State of Missouri,'' after ``Mississippi,''. The…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 49, line 20, after the period, insert ``Such closures shall be clearly marked with signs and dates of…

This amendment is just a commonsense amendment that adds the Mark Twain National Forest to the several other forests that are mentioned in the four other States. I ask the body to support the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the…

Mr. President, I wish to talk about Judge Scalia for a few minutes, and then I will address the vacancy on the Court. There is no question that the Supreme Court has lost a strong and thoughtful voice. No matter what issues the Justices on…