Martha Roby

I would just like to say in addition: You are saying that it is the same remedies under the current law. But you have to remember, the cash-out provisions are also a strengthening of employees' rights under this bill; that at any time that…

I would like to point the gentleman to page 4 of the bill, in section 4, beginning on line 21: ``An employer that provides compensatory time under Paragraph 1 to employees shall not directly or indirectly intimidate, threaten, or coerce or…

I thank the gentlewoman for taking the time to speak on this bill. I appreciate her willingness to speak on behalf of the Working Families Flexibility Act. In doing so, she is speaking on behalf of so many hardworking American families.

The intrusion of the Federal Government into that process directly or indirectly is inappropriate, and it invariably comes with a political agenda from Washington.

I appreciate that answer, and so to be clear, you can definitely count on me among those who believe that my State of Alabama and all States should, indeed, set high standards that challenge students and build critical thinking skills.

We can't legislate another hour in the day.

We cannot legislate another hour in the day.

Throughout much of your military career, it was the National Security Strategy of our country to have the ability to fight and win two major conflicts simultaneously.

The investments in education and career development are critical to the development of our next generation of military leaders.

At the end of the day, with the President's budget we are discussing today, how capable will we be to simultaneously fight two major conflicts should that become necessary?

I am concerned that, should a conflict break out in one region, that our adversaries in other regions may use that as an opportunity to take aggressive military action.

The administration was more concerned about diplomatic sensitivities with the Libyans and promoting its policy as successful, than it was about the American safety.

I have concerns that this would not only lead to people, individuals taking on more than they can handle, but also there is an opportunity here for abuse to take place, as well as diminished learning outcomes.

I am concerned that this Pell bonus might encourage students to enroll in more credits than they can handle just to receive the $300 bonus.

It is not hard to imagine bureaucrats thinking, 'Hey, we know better than Congress. We are going to keep doing what we think is best.'

Commonsense solutions, like the Working Families Flexibility Act, are the best options given our fiscal outlook as a Nation.

This seems like another bait-and-switch scheme where you are going to fund these programs for 3 years, and then what happens to sustain it after?

The United States is the only industrialized nation on the planet that doesn't have some form of Federal paid leave.

The GAO issued a report of the ORR, and it is quite concerning. They uncovered myriad problems regarding the handling of the detained minors--abuse, lack of oversight, a lack of control over the whereabouts and livelihoods of these minors.

But would you agree with me that a military base is the last place that we want to house these children?

I am deeply concerned that any of our military bases remain on the list to house these children.

I feel nothing but compassion towards these children, and I think the most compassionate thing that we can do is return these children to their families in their country of origin.

I think it is important for those of us who have not experienced that to be able to have a glimpse into the lives of families who have been tragically affected by this.

Today the VA lacks the organization structure and systemic tools for swiftly addressing problems at the worst performing medical centers.

I cannot understate the malfeasance that took place during the tenure of James Talton and the lasting harm he inflicted on Veterans in Alabama.