Luke Messer

I prefer to incentivize work, personal responsibility, and self-reliance over government dependence.

The President has taken the oath of office two times. Twice he has sworn to faithfully execute the laws. Twice he has sworn to protect and defend the Constitution. Yet he has unilaterally delayed the employer mandate of his own health care…

Each of us, as Americans, has a God-given right to defend ourselves. Those rights should apply to all people everywhere, including Israel. I visited Israel last year and saw, firsthand, the life-and-death reality ordinary Israelis face…

There is a loving family in my congressional district who has a safe home for a little boy who needs a lot of love and care. The Rieglers, who live in Muncie, adopted their son, Chiza, last August. This adorable little boy is stuck in the…

We appreciate the recent leadership from Representatives Polis and Messer in assembling stakeholders to engage in collective efforts to improve student privacy.

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 16, line 7, strike ``and''. Page 16, line 13, insert ``and'' at the end. Page 16, after line 13…

I want to thank the chairman and ranking member for their leadership on this bill. I rise today to offer a simple amendment that will encourage the opening, replication, and expansion of high quality secondary charter schools. Too many…

I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis), for his support of this amendment, and, more importantly, for his remarkable vision and leadership in charter schools across the country. I have no further comments…

Teachers are remarkable people. These dedicated professionals work hard to ensure that our children have the skills necessary to succeed and achieve the American Dream. They get up early and stay up late, often sacrificing their own time…

I think we are all trying to make sure everybody has a chance to succeed.

I think one of the most important national reforms we have brought forward was the way we calculate dropout rates.

We can't let any kids drown.

I think one of the most important reforms we put forward was changing our dropout age from 16 to 18.

The RSC budget balances in 4 years. For most Americans, 4 years seems like a very long time. When they see budgets that balance in even 10 years, let alone 26 years, or not at all, they wonder what we are thinking. In the real world, folks…

There are a lot of heroes in society. They include moms and dads, doctors, nurses, and teachers, and those who go above and beyond to help others at great risk to themselves. I want to recognize three examples of such bravery today: Jim…

A headline in today's Roll Call reads: White House, Democrats cry foul over GOP push to enforce immigration and other laws. Really? The Constitution is clear about how our government is supposed to work. Congress makes the laws; the…

No kid in America ought to have to go to a school where they won't have a chance to succeed.

The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence promises all of us a God-given right to pursue happiness.

And virtually every state I am aware of that has a robust charter school program, far more charter schools are closed than any public schools.

Every kid in America should have a chance to go to a great school.

The President has unilaterally delayed the employer mandate again. It is hard not to blame him. Last week, CMS reported that 11 million Americans who work at small businesses will have higher premiums because of the President's health care…

There is almost nothing Uncle Sam won't tax. You get hit at the grocery store, the gas pump, and your paycheck. You even get taxed when you die. Now, as the eyes of the world are on Sochi, Uncle Sam's eyes are on yet another way to…

Lots of kids in America go to a great school, but too many kids don't, and that is not okay. The simple truth is that too many families live in neighborhoods with bad schools. They can't afford to move, and they can't afford tuition to go…

No child in America should be forced to go to a school where they won't have a meaningful chance to learn. That is why school choice matters. School choice is about the freedom of parents to choose the best educational environment for…

I think you have both addressed one of the biggest challenges we face, which is in a world of scarce resources we have got to find answers that aren't always just more money but how can we spend that money better.