The American people are demanding action to keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them. Instead, the people's House has been adjourned without a single vote on commonsense, lifesaving legislation. We need to be voting on…

Late Governor of Tennessee Ned McWherter used to say: If you don't want to work, you shouldn't hire out. Speaker Ryan, if you don't want to work, if your team doesn't want to work, you shouldn't have run for office and hired out. We are…

While I am fully supportive of a national standard to label genetically modified (GMO) foods, I am unable to support S. 764, the GMO Food Labeling Requirements bill. Although this bill takes an important step toward federal preemption, it…

Mr. President, I would like to give a few remarks about how I first became involved in the cause of sentencing reform within our Federal criminal justice system. I will never forget when I first began to appreciate the full magnitude of…

I pose a simple question: When did this institution and the political discourse lose respect for freedom of conscience protections in health care? It is not fair. It is not fair that individuals today may have legal recourse to protect…

I claim the time in opposition to the motion. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Tennessee is recognized for 5 minutes.

Let me talk for just a minute about what some of this does. We have spent a whole hour here, yes, defending the Constitution, standing up for an individual's right. This bill does not do a few things. It doesn't clog the courts. It doesn't…

May I ask the time remaining on each side? The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Tennessee has 4 minutes remaining. The gentlewoman from Colorado has 8 minutes remaining.

I am honored to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts). He is the chairman of our Health Subcommittee and one of the life leaders, chairman of the Values Action Team here in Congress. He is retiring this year, and we…

I include in the Record statements from the Protection Act Forum in addition to the statements previously included by Mr. Pitts. Energy and Commerce Conscience Protection Act Forum Testimonies Part I, July 8th Forum on Capitol Hill Good…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 12 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Tribute to James Wallner

Mr. President, Capitol Hill is a famously transient place. Every 2 years, the membership of the House of Representatives changes, the membership of the Senate changes, and in the interim, the coming and going of congressional staffers is…

I have heard every excuse that there is--always do--and I know that spending reductions are not popular around here. I get it. I know it. But let me tell you what I think also is not proper. I think that it is immoral for us to spend money…

I appreciate the recognition. I want to begin by saying I think the committee has done an amazing job with consistently making reductions in what they are spending. It is appropriate that we do that because we are $19.3 trillion in debt…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: Sec. __. Each amount appropriated or…

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Tennessee will be postponed. Amendment No. 44 Offered by Mr. Boustany The Acting CHAIR. It…

First, let me thank Ranking Member McCollum, for her tremendous leadership on this subcommittee and all environmental issues. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 5538, the Fiscal Year 2017 Interior and Environment Appropriations…

I made a request in the Judiciary Committee to our chairperson to have hearings on this issue. We have a bill that would require each State to set up a system of independent prosecutors to look at law enforcement killings, shootings. The…