Transcripts For CSPAN US House Of Representatives Special Orders 20160427

Billion we spent on diabetes for just one year. So, with that, i will add the rest of my comments to the record, but i would just say, mr. Scott and mr. Speaker, hool breakfasts and lunch, w. I. C. Its a doggone good deal when you think about it. Mr. Scott thank you, and youre absolutely right. I want to yield now to one of our strongest advocates for ending hundred hunger in america, the gentleman from massachusetts, mr. Mcgovern. Mr. Mcgovern thank you very much. I want to thank my colleague from virginia, mr. Scott, for organizing this today and for his leadership on child nutrition programs. I want to thank my colleagues for being here. This is an important issue. Theres no question about that. But we are here because we are outraged. Were outraged at republican attempts to undermine our child nutrition programs. Were outraged at their lousy child reauthorization bill. It is a terrible, terrible, terrible bill. My friend should be ashamed of this bill. Mr. Speaker, a nutritious school meal is just as important to a childs success in school as a textbook. Hungry children cant concentrate. They cant focus on their studies. In short, hungry children cant learn. That is a fact. Everybody knows that. And yet we have a bill that my republican friends have drafted that will increase hunger. That will actually take food out of the mouths of children. It is outrageous. Together, our child nutrition programs, w. I. C. , School Breakfast and lunch, the Summer Food Service program, and the child and adult care food program, provide nutritional support for children year round in places where they live, learn, and play. Unfortunately, h. R. 5003, which is the republican reauthorization bill, includes a number of harmful provisions that would roll back years of progress and hamper the ability of children to access healthy meals. As i said, to be very blunt, it makes hunger worse in this country. Specifically the bill would undermine the Successful Community eligibility provision which some of my colleagues have talked about. First included in the last reauthorization bill that has allowed High Poverty School districts to offer Universal School meals to all students. In its first two years, c. E. P. Helped more than 8. 5 million low income students access free meals. Instead of building on the success of this program, my republican friends would restrict School Eligibility for the Community Eligibility option. The center for Budget Priorities estimates that 7,0 2 schools currently using Community Eligibility would lose it under this republican bill. And another 11,647 schools that qualify for Community Eligibility but who have not yet adopted it would be prevented from doing so in the future. As we approach the summer months its important to remember that child hunger gets worse in the summer. Consider this. For every six children who get a lunch at sool each day, only one receives a meal in the summertime. Instead of being a carefree time for chern who depend on getting healthy, reliable meals in the school year, the summer months can be a time of stress and anxiety and hunger. But it doesnt have to be this way. Unfortunately this republican bill cuts the successful summer e. B. T. Pilot program which provides a temporary boost in assistance programs in summer months for families whose children receive Free School Meals in the school year. It fails to make necessary investments to expand the reach of summer programs so more kids have access to healthy summer meals in their neighborhoods. In addition, bill rolls back, as my colleagues mentioned, evidencebased standards that make school meals healthier. Usda estimates that more than 90 of schools have successfully , have successfully implemented these standards. My grandmother used to say to me when i was growing up, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. I wished she were alive so i could tell her she was right. Food is medicine. When we eat good food, nutritious food, we tend to have healthy lives. If you eat bad food, junk food, you end up getting Health Issues like diabetes. Like high blood pressure. Like obesity. And i can go on and on and on. Why in the world would anybody want to lower the nutrition standards in our school meals to give our kids junkier, less nutrition foods. What sense does that make . And my colleagues advocating these reversals of smart policy are doing so only because they want to save a few dollars, let me tell you something, youre saving nothing. If we dont get this right if we dont make insist that our kids have access to nutritious, healthier food, the medical costs associated with the Health Challenges theyll experience are astronomical. As my colleague from wisconsin mentioned earlier, hundreds of billions of dollars in Avoidable Health care costs as a result of children not having access to good food. Congress should be focused on ways to address these problems. It is hard for me to understand why we have to be here today. Why everything is a fight when it comes to dealing with issues of hunger, when it comes to dealing with issues of making sure our kids get access to good nutrition. It is always a fight. Its always a fight to protect so many vital food and nutrition programs that help our kids. Theres either a shocking ignorance about the reality of the poverty that millions of our children face in this country, or there is simply indifference. Those are the only two ways i can explain what is going on in his chamber. Whichever one it is, its a sad excuse for what my republican friends are trying to do. Lets come together. This should be a bipartisan issue. There was a time when fighting hunger, making sure our kids had access to nutritious foods was a bipartisan issue. George mcgovern and bob dole worked together in the 1970s to strengthen our food and nutrition programs. But now, in this chamber, these issues have become controversial. And it is sad because there are a lot of people in this country depending on us to find ways to end hunger in america. Theyre depending on us to make surer that kids, when they go to school, have access to nutritious food. And that they have access to nutritious food during the summer months as well. Why are my friends making it so difficult . Enough of this. Stop beating up on the most Vulnerable People in this country. Lets come together, lets reject this awful draft of the child nutrition reauthorization bill. Lets come together and do this right. Its the least we can do. With that, i yield back my time. Mr. Scott thank you. Thank you for all your advocacy on ending hungerer. Hunger. Thank you very much. I now yield to the gentleman from kale, mr. Takano. From california, mr. Takano. Mr. Takano thank you, mr. Speaker. I appreciate the time allotted. In my 24 years as a public schoolteacher i learned a lot about helping students reach their potential. I learned about project based learning and stem education. I learned about the importance of arts and music in keeping tudents engaged and excited. But i also learned theres no lesson plan or study guide that can improve a students erformance if they are hungry. Good nutrition is the foundation to a good education. With that experience in mind, i rise to express my frustration and sadness with republicans, the republican proposal for reauthorizing the socalled improving child nutrition and education act. The draft bill published last week includes several provisions that would restrict students access to nutritious food, particularly children in americas poorest neighborhoods. The proposal undermines nutritional standards for schools despite those standards receiving overwhelming support from pediatricians and Public Health officials. It weakens a Popular Program designed to give poor students access to fresh fruits and vegetables in communities where they are scarce. And it increases the burden on poor families to prove that their children are eligible for lunch programs. But the impact of these provisions is mild compared to what republicans are proposing to do with c. E. P. Or the Community Eligibility provision. C. E. P. Streamlines national School Breakfast and lunch programs by automatically enrolling students who live in areas with high rates of poverty. It was passed with bipartisan support just six years ago and it is responsible for feeding more than three Million Students every year. Now republicans are seeking to change the c. E. P. Formula to kick many poorer communities out of the program. Their goal is to save money by allowing fewer students to enroll in breakfast and lunch programs. Not only is this bad policy that will hurt student performance in low income schools, it is cruel. In my district alone it this would affect more than 6,000 students. Nationwide it will severely damage a program that is critical to both fighting Child Poverty and closing the chievement gap in education. Theres a troubling asymmetry to conservatives approach to spending. When it comes to tax cuts for Large Businesses that cost this country billions of dollars, conservatives are generous with taxpayer money. But when it comes to hungry students in americas poorest communities, thats when its ime to cut back. Thats when its time to be stingy. Thats when they turn their backs on people in need. Earlier this week, speaker ryan said that conservatism is just a happy way of life. This brand of conservatism is not a happy way of life for thousands of hungry children who will lose access to food at school. It is not a happy life for the parents of those children who are struggling every day to provide for them. And it is not a happy life for the generation of students who do not have the foundation to reach their potential. Who could be happy when so Many Americans are suffering . Hank you and i yield back. Mr. Scott thank you, mr. Takano, thank you for your leadership on the committee. Mr. Speaker, i now yield to the leader of the democratic whips task force on income inequality and opportunity, the gentlelady from california, ms. Lee. Ms. Lee thank you very much. Let me thank the Ranking Member for yielding and also for your longterm and longstanding commitment to these programs. I have to say, im not happy at all. I dont think many of us are happy at what is taking place with regard to this improving child Nutrition Education act and what is happening to our children who many go to bed hungry at night so thank you very much for your leadership. And let me just say to mr. Scott who is our Ranking Member, it is very important that we recognize your leadership and know youre on this Committee Fighting each and every day to make sure that this reauthorization bill, which would take food out of the mouths of american schoolchildren, does not do that. So thank you for your fight on the committee. Let me say just a couple of things with regard to h. R. 5003. It would turn the clock back on years of progress and prevent children from eating healthy meals every day. This republican child nutrition bill would roll back critical evidencebased nutrition standards made in the 2010 reauthorization bill, which we were very actively involved with. Sadly but unsurprisingly it would also deny eligible children access to the free or reduced type School Meals Program and it would slash funding for some electronic benefits transferring. I have so say, as a young, single mother on peculiar assistance and food stamps, i dont know what i would have done had my children not had school lunches. This was a bridge over troubled waters for me and my children. I have to thank my government for that helping hand. But today, in 2016, this bill will roll back these programs which means more hungry kids in our schools and in our neighborhoods. Thats why several of us are sending a letter to the education and Work Force Committee outlining our deep concerns with the changes to our child nutrition program. I hope that everyone on our side of the aisle sign this is important letter and i hope that the majority will read it carefully. It lays out some of the basic problems in this bill and we want to make sure that everyone on the committee and this entire body understands the impact of what this will cause. When we take away access to these meals we jeopardize cherns health, Educational Attainment and really their future. We know that children who have access to healthy meals are more likely to do well in school, have decreased behavioral problems and come to class ready to learn. More than 15. 3 million children are living in food insecure households. More than 15 million kids are at risk of going to bed hungry every night in america. Children are food insecure. For children in rural communities, Food Insecurity is coupled with other barriers like lack of access to transportation to get the sumer to summer feeding sites, more than 17 of rural households, 3. 3 million ouseholds are food insecure. Its a problem that affects every child in every zip code. Its endemocrat nick our country, in rural, urban and suburban schools. Every member of congress has constituents who are hungry, really, this should be a priority for all of us. Ive seen the impact of Food Insecurity in my own community in oakland, california, where one in four children at the Oakland Unified School district they do not have access to affordable, nutritious food. And cut poverty in half. That is more than 23. 5 million and into the middle class into the next 10 years. This bill we are talking about goes the opposite way and ensuring healthy meals, that is the first step. It should not be a partisan issue. Feeding hungry kids that is a moral imperative. Lets strengthen our programs. Our children deserve the security of knowing where their next meal is coming from. Thank you, congressman scott for yielding. Mr. Scott thank you for your hard work on the task force. Mr. Speaker, i now yield to a member who has been fighting for children as a member of the state legislature and members of the gentleman from california. Car card thank you, congressman scott. And its a tireless battle and once again today, we are trying to make people aware of the disingenuous misguided efforts in this bill. The to express in improving child improving act. American ,000 and holds were at risk American Children. We should make every effort ssible to make american to development and access. And the provisions are doing the opposite by tampering with programs that have been working well, such as the Community Eligibility provision the the meals can be served to American Children in schools. This the provisions in this bill will cause too many American Children, lowincome children to lose access to these programs. The provision allows high poverty zrits to offer it to all students. This bill raises bureaucratic red tape and more lowincome American Children going hungry every single day. Why add paperwork on School Districts and each and every family in them. Congress should focus on improving and expanding direct certification and approach that has been shown to improve program integrity. And eligibility families who arent accessing the benefits of the results of these programs because of the lack of awareness. And we have made the intake of American Children. It would allow junk food to be snack. Ptable must do more attack undernoushishment than otherwise we are robbing them of the opportunity to reach their full potential. Once again, i want to thank my colleague from the great state of virginia for all the wonderful work you have been doing and for being so tireless in your effort to make sure the voices are heard not only in the Education Committee but beyond. Thank you for bringing this to the floor and i yield back. Mr. Scott reauthorization is is an opportunity to improve legislation. The republican bill reduces programs. Off the we should be expanding the child nutrition and School Lunch Programs and i thank my colleagues. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Under the speakers announced policy of january 6, 2015, the chair recognizes the gentleman fortenberry, mr. Up to 0 minutes. Mr. Fortenberry thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, upon visiting some of our wounded troops at walter reed hospital, i entered a rehab area hat was full of an and it was a place of tough love. Men and women struggling with pain and learning new skills, which struck me the most with this suffering is the desire and will to keep working, to get great d maintain and adverse it. Mr. Speaker, i had the privilege of speaking with one officer. E lost an arm and an eye and throwing a ball with his attendant and normally for us this is a simple task. But this was necessary to retrain his brain. He had loss the dominant eye and dominant arm. In spite of the many scars he had on his face, he had a great attitude. O bitterness, no anger, no resentment. He believed in his duty. He was impressive and jupt lifting and to be great near him was a great thing to to overcome their wounds. Mr. Speaker, keeping you safe depend on the men and women who are willing to put themselves on the front line. They remain the strongest country. Unfortunately, i cannot that the world is more stable or more secure. I had logical islamic is of ading and and the face of barbaricon slaut war attrition, europe is contending refugee crisis d they are ill equipped to understand their plight. And the great cultural strength they are the targets and we stand in solidarity with the sitens of belgium as we all continue to with the civilians in brussels. Jihadists orchestrated at the Brussels Airport and the Metro Administration and murdered 318 paris. And the attacks in the is of open about conversion. Multi these bombings, these particular es in belgium were for the suicide strikes in paris. Russels has contended with the aggression in its neighborhood. Middle east conflict and the catastrophe prompted some union aders to embrace very well intentioned and nations from greece to swede enand end deadly Security Risk and without necessary and robust Border Protection measures. Its not fair. Not fair to the people who are there, who have set up the political system. Its not fair to people who need to flee the violence and reestablish themselves. Its not fair. The decline of a union myth, the vision of cultural and political vision. What is it taking place . A narrative that says particular countries should matter, super natural entities are forging a new settlement to deal with the pressures of globalization. The Union European arows from ast movements that ravaged and sacrificed the content. The union importantly union nion serves to check this dark enhanced understanding. However the limits of this type of bureaucratic rangement are eached when identity and selfpreservation is at stake. It may be diss integ greating. Gain a to do snow should healthy instimbing that places an emphasis on the peoples with a shared culture, history and olitical tradition. This is the dynamism of longstanding tradition in the ideals that bind and animate longstanding tradition. The lack of a bonding identity in europe, complicated by clashing Cultural Values has reated the malanbach neighborhood and other major european cities as well. Selfisolating muslim communities can help perpetuate an environment of mutual misunderstanding and distrust, breeding alienation, resentment and hostility. Genuine multiculturalism, genuine multiculturalism is an important goal and should be upheld by us all. Ut it is difficult without incultureation among immigrant population. Thousands of europeans have left the continent for the battlegrounds of syria and iraq. These radicalized fighters, passport holders, hardened by war, dedicated to jihaddist militancy, pose a Security Risk to their countries of origin in the west. Even some socalled americans have joined the ranks of terrorist organizations that are metastasizing across the middle east and north africa. San bernardino demonstrated to all of us that the United States is far from immune to the cancer of isis expansion. Now, mr. Speaker, our nation for decades has shouldered a great burden in confronting habit throughout the world. We will continue to lead the fight against extremism but we will not do so alone. A general assumption that we will maintain the majority of heavy lifting and combating regional terror coupled with a lack of will among some of our allies has created a status quo that is no longer sustainable. Mr. Speaker, as we recover recover from the shock of the bombings in brussels, we must reclaim a central principle. Europe must fight. Complacency is no longer possible. The combined effects of a drifting european identity and a lack of appropriate incultureation among certain migrant populations, further compounded by this new migrant crisis must be confronted with reason and resolve in order to keep europe and the world safe. Only through this approach will europe stabilize, regain a sense of vision and remain a great and important source of welcoming and cultural strength. Mr. Speaker, as the world has focused on the death cult created by isis, our focus has drifted away from another equally grave threat, the proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Although the iran agreement has understandably dominated headlines on this issue of late, north koreas die gnatic and despotic leadership continues its provocation. The countrys young, insecure, egodriven ruler seeks to destabilize and consolidate his power and standing through destabilizing bravado and hes backing it up with Nuclear Weapons development in a region already royaled by increased Chinese Military posturing, particularly in the south china sea, north koreas ongoing threats linger as one of the most complicated international dilemmas. The possibility of Nuclear Weapons devastation is one of the most serious threats to civilization itself. Unfortunately, the gravity of this challenge has not received ongoing critical attention from this body as a first order priority. New intellectual rigor, strategic projection and next generation ownership are necessary for Nuclear Security in the 1st century. Mr. Speaker, i recall an incident when i was in graduate school and a prominent philosophy professor was visiting the campus and he was known for a particular expertise. I asked him, would you give me a concise summary of the philosophical argument for immortality. He was very excited by my request. And he actually invited me to his lectures on the topic. I did consider this a great privilege, again, he was a renowned professor and he was very kind to eagerly invite me to is his class but i could not really manage the four hours necessary to sit through his lectures so i politely declined. He then looked at me and said, ah, youve asked me a question about immortality, but you do not have the time. We cannot afford to make she same mistake here on Nuclear Security. Not having the time. Were distracted by all types of other considerations but if we were to bring the probability of a Nuclear Catastrophe to as near zero as possible, we must make the time. Understanding how Nuclear Threats have evolved and how to resolve them most effectively is an Urgent National priority. Imagine just for a moment one of several scenario, a terrorist Organization Collects enough radiological material to set off what is called a dirty bomb. In the stadium, perhaps, of a major city this would trigger widespread harm and panic. A smuggled package on a container ship with no need for sophisticated weapons Delivery System explodes in a major u. S. Harbor, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Or worse yet a reckless nation state actor such as north koreas autocratic strong man launches a missile attack against seoul or even los angeles. Each future scenario is alarmingly feasible. No one enjoys thinking about this, nor do i, but ignoring this problem only amplifies the ongoing threat. Americans deserve the assurance that our best and brightest minds are fervently engaged in their defense. They should be able to trust us, trust policymakers on both sides of the aisle, working together for innovate i and Sustainable Solutions to Nuclear Security concerns. In this age of anxiety and sound bite Foreign Policy, constituents should know, should believe, should have trust that congress is leading where it matters most. Mr. Speaker, the leaders who courageously hound our formidable Nuclear Enterprise through world war ii and the cold war have now passed the baton to a new generation of policymakers and scientists. Now as our world goes grows more complex, the challenges of Nuclear Proliferation have multiplied. The buynary concept of mutually assured destruction is no longer relevant in an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment. Nonstate actors play havoc with global treaties and normative rules, seeking to do horrifying harm. Rational responses to deterence is no longer a guarantee. Despite all these challenges and the important issues that come before congress, Nuclear Security ironically seldom surfaces in our National Conversation outside highly specialized forums and the problem is reel. Is real. The United States and our allies face a stark deficiency. Nuclear security as a multidimensional issue with no long standing skitcy. Supportive of initiatives of congress. That constituency must be built. This is of grave concern to us all, the constituency must be built. In light of this problem, the Nuclear Security group in congress was founded to advance this discussion and help prevent the unthinkable. While the analytical and tactical expertise rightly should remain embedded in the department of defense an department of energy and expect of department of state and other executive branch entities, Congress Must create an agile policy environment in this age of globalization and swiftly advancing technologies. We also need to awaken citizen concerns. In order to give momentum and consideration of the time necessary in this body with so many other distractions. Unfortunately, there is very little. The need for broader involvement, i believe, particularly extends to the millenial generation, the coming stewards of our Nuclear Security. The community of nations, the responsible nations, mr. Speaker, has much work ahead to achieve an ideal nuclear settlement. Advancing advances in reprocessing technology and weapons infrastructure were once the exclusive domain of the nation states, now they pose serious proliferation concerns. Although many countries, thankfully have altogetherry nounsed the pursuit of Nuclear Weapons, turbulent situations in the middle east or elsewhere are wordening an already Hazardous Nuclear dynamic. A new architecture for Nuclear Security demands an ongoing effort by responsible nations of the world. Mr. Speaker, the fourth and final Nuclear Security summit hosted by president obama recently in washington represented another important step in securing loose Nuclear Materials and heightening collaboration. We need to sustain this and more International Gatherings gatt, and multinational to achieve a 21st Century Nuclear strategy, one that finds Common Ground on important nonproliferation priorities in a cooperative campaign to make our world safer. Looking ahead, mr. Speaker, in this regard, i anticipate an augmented role for the International Atomic Energy Agency known as the iaea. As a primary implementing agency of future Verification Initiative a revitalized spirit of unity, common purpose and renewed dedication is essential to knew leer security in the 21st century and we need robust platforms to do so. Multilateral ones. Our challenge is that we cannot react to a nuclear crisis, we must act to prevent one. If we have the time. Given the collapse of the nation state order in the middle east, as well as the technological advances and the potential for highly disruptive weaponry to evolve in short order, what will our National Security challenges look like in the next 20 to 30 years . Its quite serious. The answer lies in as much a values proposition as a military one. On a fundamental level the question is whether the world n emgrace, inculture ate and institutionalize incullture inculturate and institutional this. Again, mr. Speaker, we owe so much to the young men and women willing to risk everything in military service to take this integrated approach to interNational Security. Put simply, i believe in the three ds. Strong defense, smart diplomacy, and sustainable development. All are necessary components for International Stability and therefore our own National Security. Closer to home, in order to have a Stable Society here, we also depend upon economic security. We need to reexamine some fundamental questions as to whats causing such anxiety in our american culture. Our Security Problems are compounded by globalization trends that have left millions of americans in dire need, in dire straits of financial vulnerability. Mr. Speaker, i recently saw a presentation by a c. E. O. Of a major company. I thought we were getting ready for a power point with charts and graphs of financials. Instead, this c. E. O. Put a picture up of a father with his daughter, a bride on his arm, as they were walking down the aisle on her wedding day. He said this to us. Everyone is someones daughter. Every person is someones son. The point was powerfully made. The understanding of work and the workplace are essential to Human Dignity and happiness. I learned a little more about this company. In the financial crisis of 2008, the business lost about a third of its contracts. Reeling from the economic pressure, the c. E. O. This c. E. O. Pulled all his mes together and said, team, what are we going to do . Because he had earned their trust, because there was an interdependency in that workplace, because there were demands, they had to be profitable, they had to make efficiency gains in order to be competitive. But because he created a culture of trust and interdependency the entire company decided to take a no ay furlough with no pay, job was lost. By sharing in that sacrifice, no job was lost. Not one person was laid off. Not one job either was moved overseas. Contrast contract with a company they are relocating 1,400 jobs to mexico. This was captured as worker outrage built on the con descending and in his explanation and said it is nothing personal, but taste just business. Seen here and across our country, an abstract economic con instruct and projected earnings over the needs of persons is not a sustainable economic model for happiness and commit mountain. E economy in our society are intertwined. Hen this works, it works well. Social fracture leads to economic decline and it lead to fracture and it can defray and decreased earning power. Only measureable efficiency gain breaks down mmunities and should not aadvice rate. Ore the loss of one company it creates aftershocks that further declines. While the theory that the free trade agreements reduces the costs of consumer goods does have truths, people are not only consumers, but a disordered economy that operates on the profit of max ms. Ation can that the ecostructures are shared by community heritage. They are immeasurable that do not show up on the balance sheet. Government policy also has to bear some blame. Our tax code incentivizes companies to move overseas and beyond government policy, the rsh philosophy that it has changed, prioritizing, and the stock price over the longterm viability of the business itself and the people within it who grew the business. Loose c. E. O. Accountable for spreadsheet and in indianapolis started shouting that the jobs were moving to mexico, thats just business. Mr. Speaker, there is a better way forward. Take the example that i gave of the c. E. O. Who called his team together, team, we have a problem, we have a big problem and the team shared in the sacrifice in order to keep the business viable, in order to protect the ecosystem built upon trust, shared commitment and interdependency. A better way forward is not compromise. A proper ball absence between the interests and the daily life shall cultivate to benefit the employees and customers injecting the proposition that work should have meaning, that companies should strafe to protect the persons under their employ and product provide the very foundation for profitability and longterm sur fe built with innovation and efficiency. Whats good for a person is good for business. Mr. Speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Under the speakers announced licy of january 6, 2015, the chair recognizes mr. Green, from texas. Mr. Green april 14, 1970, the mission was apollo 13 and the message was houston, we have a problem. Mr. Speaker that was a collarion all from a mission that was in trouble. I rise this call from the people of Houston Texas, because we have some trouble. We have trouble that are related to floodwaters in houston, texas, that inundate our cities and cause great harm and great damages. Im on a mission of mercy on behalf of our constituents and all of those in houston and the immediate area. Im not without a solution. We have a solution to the flooding problem in houston, exas and that is h. R. 20555. It is a bill that will mitigate the flood damage. M not sure we can instruct a problem that will mitigate. But im sure we can mitigate and eliminate and do something about the magnitude of the problem and im confident that my mother was correct when she informed me there would be times in life able ou you wouldnt be to do enough. When you cannot do enough and more need to be enough and im here to let this Congress Know that we can help in Houston Texas and mitigate the flood damages. Speaker, this bill, h. R. Millions accord 325 and for projects that have been approved. Projects that have not been completed. This bill would authorize this funding up to 2026 and this bill is needed in houston, texas. And i will yield to a colleague and i will say more but it will not only mitigate the flood damages, but would also help us with jobs for those who are interested in jobs. It would create 6,220 jobs. They will pay taxes. These taxpayers will help us will help us with our fire, police, and schools. And many ways they will help us to others. This bill will save lives. I will say more about that and or colleagues will say more about this as well. This bill will have a meaningful, powerful, Significant Impact on houston, texas. And im proud to tell you that this congress has been helpful. We have accorded 212 million but we need more to complete the project. 34 million to complete it. Is project is where we get flooding. This project will present vent homeless. This is a great project. The project was authorized in 1990 and projected to be in 2020. Mr. Speaker, while i want to make sure we complete it, it has taken so long. The golden gate bridge, with all of its majegsti only took 4 years to complete. The hoover dasm, a Great Monument to channel water and turn that into electrical power, that took five years to complete. Took eightnal and it years to complete. I spoke of apollo 1. It only took up eight years, mr. Speaker, to place a person on the moon. Surely, mr. Speaker, if we can place a person on the moon in eight years, we can complete these projects in less than 0 years. Im honored to yield to my colleague who is a cosponsor, who serves in the congress of the United States of the emergency and Commerce Committee d a well stalwart and our country, i yield to the honorable gene green. Green grown i thank my colleague and thank you for last friday. I was able to be in our district and that happen in your district, but happened in the same thing in northern houston and eastern houston. But we have had hundreds of homes that have been flooded. 18, the city of houston claimed the lives of the people of hughes. And we are currently working to where to house these folks. This is the second major flooding disaster and the city is expecting rain and thunderstorms this week. Constituents have been severely affected and must stop the loss of life. The president has recognized and fulfilled the request. Now the job of congress. He orked with al green to funding act. And 311 million for construction and completion of our Flood Control projects. Flooding is not new. We have learned to control it. We have saved lives since being created. Due to the pressure, the army corps of engineers colt fund these projects. This bill would ensure that they have the resources necessary to expedite the projects to protect property and people. I want to make sure they have people to get become in their reports. Ll 311 and visit houston 311. Org toll submit damage reports. They must file a comblame for the damage incurred. It may effect because by law fema cannot provide money. And Spanish Speaking households fema will assist you. The submitting your politics, folks should have the, scorblee security number, and flood damage information, personal final shal information. You can apply by phone for fema 61 istance and call 18003 fema. And can offer two types of assistance, temporary housing, med amo help replace and tools, ing, household saster and after 24 hours, fema will follow up. A fema inspector should contact you. Mr. Speaker, we can help the victims and we must help them. I urge this body to pass this so we wont have this tragedy again and back into a regular life and i thank my colleagues and again, our office and all our congressional offices whether republican or democrat are here to serve you and i thank my colleague. I thank you for coming into the nipet congressional district. Green your neighboring district. And mr. Green your neighboring district. And being of aye assistance. We really assist each other. I would want to, if i may, magnify, amplify, what you said about this not being partisan. You didnt use that exact terminology. But this really is not a partisan effort. This is something that impacts people. Democrats, republicans have been impacted by these storms. Rich and poor alike have been impacted by these storms. Doesnt matter what your gender is, doesnt matter what your nationality is. If youve been in houston, texas, when these storms have hit, youve been impacted by these storms. So tonight, mr. Speaker, i do think it appropriate that we say more about these storms, to give some indication as to what we have to cope with in houston, texas. Houston, we do have a problem. But again, we also have a solution. H. R. 5025. So lets say just a bit more about the problem. Letsalk about the damages in terms of costs. In 2015 we had the memorial day flood. And in 2016 we had the tax day flood. Im going to compare the two and in so doing, you can see not only do we have damages occasionally, it appears that were starting to have these damages quite regularly. The damages and costs for 2015 memorial day flood, approximately 3 billion in damages. Mind you now, this bill will cost 311 million. We had 3 billion in damages just for the memorial day flood alone in 2015. 1,000 ion is still million, so we had 3,000 Million Dollars worth of damages from this memorial day flood in 2015. The tax day flood of 2016 brought us 5 billion as an estimate of damages. 5 billion. L of these are estimates nobody knows the exact number. 5 billion. 5 billion in 2015. Another 5 billion in 2016. Another 3 billion in 2015. Thats 8 billion. Mr. Speaker, the 8 billion happens to be about 25 times, 25. 72 times the 311 million. The point, is why dont we spend the money up front . Youve heard the term pay me now, pay me later. Why not pay the cost to prevent some of this flooding as opposed to the cost of repairs after the floods have taken place . Its interesting to note that these appropriation dollars that we are talking about are going to be spent. These are not dollars that will never be spent on these projects in houston. What were trying to do is not allow the projects to be prolonged such that other things are impacted in our city. We want the projects to be completed as expeditiously as possible. And there will be many more reasons why that i will call to your attention in just a moment. One will be deaths. With the memorial day flood, our Research Indicates that approximately four people were killed. Four people lost their lives in flood waters. Or as a result of flooding. In 2016, with the tax day flood, that number doubled. To eight people losing their lives. We have an opportunity to do something to save lives. There are other things that can be done to help us save lives. S well but these things, working with these projects, that the core of corps of engineers already has on its docket, has on its agenda, is working on, finishing these projects can indeed help us to save lives. Lets talk about the rainfall. So thalk get some sense of so that you can get some sense of how much water inundates our city. In 2015 we had 11 inches of rain. Thats a lot. In 2016 we had 17 inches of rain. In 2016, that amounted to about 240 billion gallons of rain. Thats a lot of water in one place at one time. The rescues, my colleague alluded to people being rescued. Ll, in 2015 we had 531 water rescues. In 2016, 1,200 high water rescues took place. And this is a good point for me, mr. Speaker, a good place for me to commend the newly elected mayor of houston, texas, the honorable sylvester turner, who is doing an outstanding job, a stellar job, just arrived on the job, but he has really done well with the circumstances that hes had to deal with. So i commend him. I also would like to mention now the homes that have been damaged. In 2015 the estimate is that about 6,000 homes were damaged. With the memorial day flood. With the flood in 2016, the tax day flood, tax day, called tax day because it was the last day to file your income taxes, in 2016 on tax day we had 6,700. 700 more homes approximately were damaged in 2016 than 2015. As you can see, we have a problem in houston. Well, lets talk about vehicular damage. In houston, in 2015, the memorial day flood, we had about 10,000 vehicles damaged. 10,000. Imagine being on your way home and you have this water to inundate the city. That means that you cannot continue to traverse the city. You have to take shelter. You have to stop. And you try to get your water to a place where you have high terrain. Unfortunately in houston, most places are at sea level and a good many are below sea level. And as a result when we have these types of conditions, we will have damages that will occur and many cars will be a part of these damages. So in 2015, approximately 10,000 vehicles. And in 2016, 2016, approximately 40,000 vehicles damaged. 2016. 40,000 vehicles. Now, if it takes about 10,000 per vehicle to repair these vehicles, or to replace the vehicles, 10,000 per vehicle, that is approximately in a hypothetical sense, 40 million. So the cost, mr. Speaker, to vehicle repairs alone exceeds the amount that we need for the bill to take preventive measures, such that we wont get as many cars in this condition. I say as many simply because i will reiterate what i said earlier, we will never eliminate all of the flooding, we can never do enough, but we do have a duty to do all that we can. And we can spare a good many people from being stranded in vehicles, a good many who lose their lives, i might add as well. Loss of power. Meaning electrical power. In 2015 we had 88,000 customers lose power. Thats a lot. 88,000 people without power. Surely weve had more than this in many other places. Im not saying that this loss of power would in any way compare to some of other circumstances weve had to cope with in different places in our country. But i do want you to know that this happens whenever we have these conditions. So year after year after year the number adds up. Because while we had 88,000 customers in 2015, in 2016 we lose power. People 88,000 the year earlier, 123,000. It adds up. Houston has a problem. But houston has a solution. He solution is h. R. 5025 a bill that would accord 311 million to complete projects that are already being worked on in houston, texas. Money that is already going to be spent by virtue of the projects having been appropriated. So we have to do this. Why not do this now or as quickly as we can, save lives, save money, and create jobs . Lets now talk about fema assistance. On the memorial day flood of 2015, 57 million was paid out for fema from fema to persons who suffered flood damages. For the tax day flood, we have yet to determine this because were still in the process of getting fema into the city to assist us. If i may say so, i want to thank the president of the United States of america, the honorable barack obama. I want to thank the governor of the state of texas. I thank the governor for immediately responding and asking the president to declare certain areas in the state of texas disaster areas. The houston area has been declared a disaster area. Harris county is one of the areas so declared. Harris county happens to be, for the most part, within houston, texas. Houston is over 600 square miles. It literally almost consumes harris county. So we have to realize that the governor did a great thing, in my opinion. Hes a republican by the way. And the president did a great thing, in my opinion. Hes a democrat. These two people, one republican, one democrat, theyve worked to make sure that we get fema in, that we get all of the aid that we can into the area as quickly as we can, so that people can receive assistance. There are people who are going to need shelter. Its estimated that out in the greens point area, 1,000 this is an area where my colleague, Sheila Jackson lee, has happs to be the representative happens to be the representative from, 1,800 apartments have flood damages. 1,800. And we have some 400 workers at the time i received this intelligence out there helping to make repairs. These workers are going to be paid for the jobs that they are doing. Thats additional cost. We had more than 150 families need accommodations. Theyll need these accusations accommodations for perhaps as much as three weeks. This could cost us an additional 150,000. These are all costs that we can mitigate. That we can reduce. We may not eliminate them, but we can reduce these costs. In an area that was hit hard when we had the memorial day flood, and now when we have this tax day flood, were talking about within a year, we have people who are just moving back into their homes, just moving back into their homes, and they are flooded again. And this area, and the people of this area, have sent out a call for help. Theyve senlt the cry not only to the congress sent the cry not only to the congress but also to the corps of engineers, also to the county commissioners, they want the city council, the state, they want us to do something about this problem. Houston has a problem. But houston has a solution. H. R. 5025 is that solution. In that moreau land area that im speaking of there lives a family, the thais family. I want to express tice family. I want to express my gratitude to the tice family. When we called these problems to the attention of our cities, on a citywide basis, by publishing these problems, that tice family opened the doors of their home to us. So that we could come in and meet at their home. We didnt have to do it. But im appreciative that they opened the doors of their home. Im especially appreciative as it relates to this family, mr. Speaker, because this family, the tice family, they have a son whos being held captive in syria as i speak. The amily is suffering problems associated with somebody that they love dearly, their son, being held captive in syria, and they get flooded. Fortunately this time they barely escaped. But they had to do mitigation. They had to raise their floors. They had to do things so that they would not get flooded. And im calling on us in the congress to please, lets help the many families who will suffer again. This is not going to be the last time that i will come to the floor with this bill if we dont get the help this time. Assure you that within the future, we will have a similar circumstance. How do you know youre going to have a similar circumstance . Ll, i know because between 1996 and 2014 we had 86 days of flooding and or flash flooding in houston, harris county. That averages to four to five days of flooding each year. This is not, not a problem that is going away. So we can resolve it with this time with h. R. 5025, or ill be back to the floor and ill be calling this problem to our attention again. Well be talking about more mages to homes, well be talking about cars that have been flooded and in theed of in need of repair, and well be talking about, unfortunately, and i pray that i am entirely wrong, well be talking about lives that have been lost. And well be talking about how we could have then, how with we could have now, how we how we could have now, how we could have done things to avoid some of these consequences. These consequences can be mitigated and its up to us to take the affirmative action to do so. I want to thampling the leadership. I thank you, mr. Speaker, for being generous. I would like to thank the cosponsors of this legislation. Many have signed onto it. We have nearly 50 cosponsors and we will be asking others. Im asking that we have the opportunity to please, let us now at some point et they are bring the bill to the floor or incorporate into the supplemental relief that we will be according. Houston has a problem. Mr. Speaker, i thank you and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Mr. Green at this time. I do now move that the house do now adjourn. The speaker pro tempore those in favor. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. Accordingl rob it is sort of like the second round for startups, after they get money from family and friends. They look for these angels to kind of have a personal stake in helping out the new business. The bill affects how the startups can connect with Angel Investors during what are called demo days, where they go and present at a kind of conference or seminar to attract funding. Host give us a couple of examples, the kind of companies affected by this. Rob the kind of companies vary greatly. Amean, this is more of size concept than a type of company. You have your internet startups, you know, some apps companies. Anything you can imagine, as long as it is small. Sec regulations be changed by this bill . Rny, i get a little fotho but if you want to issue stock, you have to register. The registering is kind of a pain, for small companys especially. So they can get an exemption from registering, the exception though is that they cannot do what is called a general solicitation, like online, tv, radio, newspapers, Something Like that. Unless they are only selling to a certain class of investor. And this bill six to change that with respect to those demo days i mentioned before. It was passed out of the Financial Services committee, are republicans in favor . And half of the democrat supporting it. And this tweet by the Financial Services leaders saying that the makes it easier for startups to attract investments that allow them to grow and create jobs. So, why are there still some democrats against this . Rob well, let us start with the rule. Currently, the rules for these investors that are going to advertise online or on tv, they can only sell their securities, the startups, can only sell to accredited investors. And a lot of times, these demo days are open to the public. And nonaccredited investors will show up. Democrats that oppose this are concerned that the general public i wander into one of these and get snookered into some kind of investment deal that might not be the right risk for them. The white house has issued a statement saying they have some concerns. They have also issued this tweet, that the administration looks forward to working with congress as it moves forward on this bill. What specifically is the white house looking forward to, as far as changes to the bill . Rob if there are tweets to how these nonaccredited investors can invest with these demoda days, maybe they are more unsophisticated than most of the investors that are there. If there is some sort of protection for them, the white house would be looking into Something Like that. And this is all part of what the sec and congress and the white house evolving kind of talking about making changes for just Smaller Companies in general to be able to raise capital like this. And you know, it would not surprise me to see this in the package of something bigger going forward. Host rob covers the securities and Exchange Commission for bloomberg bna. He is on twitter. Thanks very much for joining us today. Rob you bet. Announcer the house went on to pass that bill. The chamber also debated a measure that updates current law on the privacy of individual personal electronics. And how the government may access those records. A final vote on that could take place tomorrow. The house returns thursday at 10 a. M. Eastern for morning speeches, and legislative work. On the agenda, legislation that reauthorizes a d. C. School Voucher Program for low income students for five years. See the house live here on cspan when members come back tomorrow. Liveshington journal, every day with news and policy issues that impact you. Coming up thursday morning, florida congressman republican david jolly, about issues before the house, including his that federally prohibits members for calling for the solicitation of contributions for elections. And democrat Jan Schakowsky will discuss the reauthorization of the older american act, that provides a series of services to assist the elderly. Beginning live at 75 eastern thursday morning. Live at 7 00 eastern thursday morning. Known as one of washingtons premier events, regular government officials, numbers of the press, and hollywood stars. Cspan prevents light coverage of the white house correspondents dinner, this saturday at 6 p. M. Our live coverage from the washington hilton includes backgrounds, presentations, and awards. 2700 people are expected to attend this years soldout dinner. Larry wilmore will headline. And this year, president obama will get his final speech as commanderinchief. Join us to watch the 20 16th white house correspondents dinner, begin saturday at 6 p. M. Eastern, live on cspan. In his first speech focused on Foreign Policy, president of discussesdonald trump the fight against terrorism, debating relations with china and russia, and calls on the u. S. Military. At a hotels speech and washington, d. C. , a day after winning all five republican primaries. This is about one hour. [applause] thank you very much, jacob. In my recently published memoir, envoy, i tell the story of coming from afghanistan to the United States legally. [applause] and of myenager, latest service as a u. S. In afghanistan, iraq, and the united nations. Analyzing what we did right, and drawing lessons for the future. America gave me an opportunity to succeed. Back a little pay by my service to the United States. Mention my book, and i would like everyone to read it. And to borrow a phrase from mr. Trump, it will make your head spin. Oday, as the primaries wind down, donald trump delivers a much anticipated speech on his foreignpolicy philosophy. This is a critical moment for america and for the world. Ii,e the end of world war some 70 years now, the United States has supported a world order that has included war among the major powers. We have prevented hostile hegemons from dominating regions, asia, europe, and the middle east. Maintaining a favorable balance of power, by creating, expanding, and andaining strong alliances, by seeking areas of cooperation and reconciliation with rivals. Ile war among major powers has been precluded, we have been embroiled in several costly and protracted conflicts. And the world has become more complex, unstable, and dangerous. Powers areh rival more aggressive, hostile regimes are pursuing weapons of ma massive destruction, including longrange missiles and cyber security. And the risk of terrorism and extremism is accused. Te. Indeed, the system of order is under attack by revisionist states and rising powers, with alternative concepts of order. As often seen in our history, after a period of great exertion during the first decade of the 21st century post9 11, we are now in a period of withdrawal and retreat. And if can still get a lot worse. We have a sluggish economy, growing inequalities, rising debt, and debt service. Our infrastructure needs attention. And the demand for domestic programs is growing. Rising to reduce expenditure on National Security, at a time when we need to pay more attention to our security needs. Against this backdrop, the president ial primaries have shown that our country is deeply y conflicted and polarized about americas purpose and position around the world. Mr. Trump has been a provocative voice in this debate. His message has resonated with a significant part of our electorate. The National Interest that has allowed mr. Trump to elaborate on his extensive views about america, and how he would lead america as commander in chief. We will extend similar invitations to other candidates. We are delighted mr. Trump is here. Please join me in welcoming him. Thank you, very much. [applause] donald trump thank you for the opportunity to speak to you, and thank you to the center for National Interest for honoring me with this invitation. It truly is a great honor. Id like to talk today about how to develop a new Foreign Policy direction for our country, one that replaces randomness with purpose, ideology with strategy, and chaos with peace. Its time to shake the rust off americas Foreign Policy. Its time to invite new voices and new visions into the fold, something we have to do. The direction i will outline today will also return us to a timeless principle. My Foreign Policy will always put the interests of the American People and American Security above all else. It has to be first, has to be. That will be the foundation of every single decision that i will make. [applause] Trump America first will be the major and overriding theme of my administration. But to chart our path forward, we must first briefly take a look back. We have a lot to be proud of. In the 1940s, we saved the world. The greatest generation beat back the nazis and japanese imperialists. Then, we saved the world again. This time, from totalitarianism and communism. The cold war, it lasted for decades but, guess what, we won , and we won big. Democrats and republicans working together got mr. Gorbachev to heed the words of president reagan, our great president , when he said, tear tear down this wall. [applause] mr. Trump history will not forget what he did. A very special, special man and president. Unfortunately, after the cold war, our Foreign Policy veered badly off course. We failed to develop a new vision for a new time. In fact, as time went on, our Foreign Policy began to make less and less sense. Logic was replaced with foolishness and arrogance, which led to one Foreign Policy disaster after another. They just kept coming and coming. We went from mistakes in iraq to egypt to libya, to president obamas line in the sand in syria. Each of these actions have helped to throw the region into chaos, and gave isis the space it needs to grow and prosper. Very bad. It all began with a dangerous idea that we could make western democracies out of countries that had no experience or interests in becoming a western democracy. We tore up what institutions they had, and then were surprised at what we unleashed. Civil war, religious fanaticism, thousands of americans and just killed lives, lives, lives wasted. Horribly wasted. Many trillions of dollars were lost, as a result. The vacuum was created that isis would fill. Iran, too, would rush in and fill that void, much to their really unjust enrichment. They have benefited so much, so sadly, for us. Our Foreign Policy is a complete and total disaster. No vision. No purpose. No direction. No strategy. Today, i want to identify five main weaknesses in our Foreign Policy. First, our resources are totally overextended. President obama has weakened our military, by weakening our economy. Hes crippled us with wasteful spending, massive debt, low growth, a huge trade deficit, and open borders. Our manufacturing trade deficit with the world is now approaching 1 trillion a year. Were rebuilding other countries, while weakening our own. Ending the theft of american jobs will give us resources we need to rebuild our military, which has to happen, and regain our Financial Independence and strength. I am the only person running for the presidency who understands this, and this is a serious problem. Im the only one believe me, i know them all im the only one who knows how to fix it. [applause] mr. Trump secondly, our allies are not paying their fair share, and ive been talking about this recently a lot. Our allies must contribute toward their financial, political, and human costs, have to do it, of our tremendous security burden. But many of them are simply not doing so. They look at the United States as weak and forgiving, and feel no obligation to honor their agreements with us. In nato, for instance, only 4 of 28 other member countries , besides america, are spending the minimum required 2 of gdp on defense. We have spent trillions of dollars over time on planes, missiles, ships, equipment, building up our military to provide a Strong Defense for europe and asia. The countries we are defending must pay for the cost of this defense, and if not, the u. S. Must be prepared to let these countries defend themselves. We have no choice. [applause] mr. Trump the whole world will be safer if our allies do their part to support our common defense and security. A Trump Administration will lead a free world that is properly armed and funded, and funded beautifully. Thirdly, our friends are beginning to think they cant depend on us. Weve had a president who dislikes our friends, and bows to our enemies, something that weve never seen before in the history of our country. He negotiated a disastrous deal with iran, and then we watched them ignore its terms, even before the ink was dry. Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, cannot be allowed. Remember that, cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. [applause] mr. Trump and under a Trump Administration, will never, ever be allowed to have that nuclear weapon. [applause] mr. Trump all of this, without even mentioning the humiliation of the United States with irans treatment of our ten captured sailors so vividly i remember that day. In negotiation, you must be willing to walk. The iran deal, like so many of our worst agreements, is the result of not being willing to leave the table. When the other side knows youre not going to walk, it becomes absolutely impossible to win you just cant win. At the same time, your friends need to know that you will stick by the agreements that you have with them. Youve made that agreement, you have to stand by it, and the world will be a better place. President obama gutted our Missile Defense program and then abandoned our Missile Defense plans with poland and the czech republic. He supported the ouster of a friendly regime in egypt, that had a longstanding peace treaty with israel, and then helped bring the Muslim Brotherhood to power in its place. Israel, our great friend and the one true democracy in the middle east, has been snubbed and criticized by an administration that lacks moral clarity. Just a few days ago, Vice President biden again criticized israel, a force for justice and peace, for acting as an impatient peace area in the region. President obama has not been a friend to israel. He has treated iran with tender love and care, and made it a great power. Iran has, indeed, become a great, great power, in just a very short period of time, because of what weve done. All of the expense and all at the expense of israel, our allies in the region, and very importantly, the United States, itself. [applause] trump weve picked fights with our oldest friends, and now, theyre starting to look elsewhere for help. Remember that. Not good. Fourth, our rivals no longer respect us. In fact, theyre just as confused as our allies, but in an even bigger problem is they dont take us seriously anymore. The truth is they dont respect us. When president obama landed in cuba on air force one, no leader was there, nobody, to greet him. Perhaps an incident without precedent in the long and prestigious history of air force one. Then, amazingly, the same thing happened in saudi arabia. Its called no respect. Absolutely no respect. Do you remember when the president made a long and expensive trip to copenhagen, denmark, to get the olympics for our country, and after this unprecedented effort, it was announced that the United States came in fourth fourth place . The president of the United States making this trip unprecedented comes in fourth place. He should have known the result , before making such an embarrassing commitment. We were laughed at all over the world, as we have been many, many times. The list of humiliations go on and on and on. President obama watches helplessly, as north korea increases its aggression and expands further and further with its nuclear reach. Our president has allowed china to continue its economic assault on american jobs and wealth, refusing to enforce trade deals and apply leverage on china , necessary to rein in north korea. We have the leverage. We have the power over china, economic power, and people dont understand it. And with that economic power, we can rein in and we can get them to do what they have to do with north korea, which is totally out of control. He has even allowed china to steal government secrets with cyber attacks, and engaged in industrial espionage against the United States and its companies. Weve let our rivals and challengers think they can get away with anything, and they do. They do, at will. It always happens. If president obamas goal had been to weaken america, he could not have done a better job. Finally, america no longer has a clear understanding of our Foreign Policy goals. Since the end of the cold war, and the breakup of the soviet union, weve lacked a coherent Foreign Policy. One day, were bombing libya and getting rid of a dictator to foster democracy for civilians. The next day, were watching the same civilians suffer, while that country falls and absolutely falls apart. Lives lost, massive moneys lost. The world is a different place. Were a humanitarian nation, but the legacy of the obamaclinton will be weakness, confusion, and disarray, a mess. Weve made the middle east more unstable and chaotic than ever before. We left christians subject to intense persecution, and even genocide. [applause] mr. Trump we have done nothing to help the christians, nothing, and we should always be ashamed for that, for that lack of action. Our actions in iraq, libya, and syria have helped unleash isis. And were in a war against radical islam, but president obama wont even name the enemy, and unless you name the enemy, you will never, ever solve the problem. [applause] mr. Trump Hillary Clinton also refuses to say the words radical islam, even as she pushes for a massive increase in refugees coming into our country. After secretary clintons failed intervention in libya, islamic terrorists in benghazi took down our consulate and killed our ambassador and three brave americans. Then, instead of taking charge that night, Hillary Clinton decided to go home and sleep. Incredible. Clinton blames it all on a video, an excuse that was a total lie, proven to be absolutely a total lie. Our ambassador was murdered and our secretary of state misled the nation. And, by the way, she was not awake to take that call at 3 00 in the morning. And now, isis is making millions and millions of dollars a week selling libya oil. And you know what . We dont blockade, we dont bomb, we dont do anything about it. Its almost as if our country doesnt even know whats happening, which could be a fact , and could be true. This will all change, when i become president. To our friends and allies, i say , america is going to be strong again. America is going to be reliable again. Its going to be a great and reliable ally again. Its going to be a friend again. Were going to finally have a coherent Foreign Policy, based upon american interests and the shared interests of our allies. [applause] mr. Trump were getting out of the nationbuilding business and instead, focusing on creating stability in the world. Our moments of greatest strength came when politics ended at the waters edge. We need a new, rational, american Foreign Policy, informed by the best minds and supported by both parties, and it will be by both parties democrats, republicans, independents, everybody, as well as by our close allies. This is how we won the cold war, and its how we will win our new , future struggles, which may be many, which may be complex, but we will win if i become president. [applause] mr. Trump first, we need a longterm plan to halt the spread and reach of radical islam. In containing the spread of radical islam must be a major Foreign Policy goal of the United States, and indeed the world. Events may require the use of military force, but its also a philosophical struggle, like our long struggle in the cold war. In this, were going to be working very closely with our allies in the muslim world, all of which are at risk from radical islamic violence, attacks, and everything else. It is a dangerous world, more dangerous now than it has ever been. We should work thank you. [applause] in mr. Trump we should Work Together with any nation in the region that is threatened by the rise of radical islam. But this has to be a twoway street. They must also be good to us. Remember that. They have to be good to us, no longer oneway. Its now twoway. And remember, us and all were doing, they have to appreciate what weve done to them. Were going to help, but they have to appreciate what weve done for them. The struggle against radical islam also takes place in our homeland. There are scores of recent you migrants, inside our borders, charged with terrorism. For every case known to the public, there are dozens and dozens of more. We must stop importing extremism through senseless immigration policies. We have no idea where these people are coming from. Theres no documentation. Theres no paperwork. Theres nothing. We have to be smart. We have to be vigilant. A pause for reassessment will help us to prevent the next san bernardino, or frankly, much worse. All you have to do is look at the World Trade Center and september 11th, one of the great catastrophes, in my opinion, the single greatest military catastrophe in the history of our country. Worse than pearl harbor, because you take a look at whats happened, and citizens were attacked, as opposed to the military being attacked one of the true great catastrophes. And then, theres isis. I have a simple message for them. Their days are numbered. I wont tell them where, and i wont tell them how. We must [applause] mr. Trump we must, as a nation, be more unpredictable. We are totally predictable. We tell everything. Were sending troops. We tell them. Were sending something else. We have a news conference. We have to be unpredictable. And we have to be unpredictable, starting now. But theyre going to be gone. Isis will be gone, if im elected president. And theyll be gone quickly. They will be gone very, very quickly. [applause] mr. Trump secondly, we have to rebuild our military and our economy. The russians and chinese have rapidly expanded their military capability, but look at whats happened to us. Our Nuclear Weapons arsenal, our ultimate deterrent, has been allowed to atrophy and is desperately in need of modernization and renewal. And it has to happen immediately. Our active duty armed forces have shrunk from 2 million in 1991 to about 1. 3 million today. The navy has shrunk from over 500 ships to 272 ships, during this same period of time. The air force is about onethird smaller than 1991. Pilots flying b52s in combat missions today. These planes are older than virtually everybody in this room. And what are we doing about this . President obama has proposed a 2017 Defense Budget that in real dollars, cuts nearly 25 from what we were spending in 2011. Our military is depleted, and were asking our generals and military leaders to worry about global warming. We will spend what we need to rebuild our military. It is the cheapest, single investment we can make. We will develop, build, and purchase the best equipment known to mankind. Our military dominance must be unquestioned, and i mean unquestioned, by anybody and everybody. But we will look for savings and spend our money wisely. In this time of mounting debt, right now, we have so much debt that nobody even knows how to address the problem. But i do. No one dollar can be wasted. Not one single dollar can we waste. Were also going to have to change our trade, immigration, and economic policies to make our economy strong again. And to put Americans First again. This will ensure that our own workers, right here in america, get the jobs and higher pay that will grow our tax revenues, increase our economic might as a nation, make us strong financially again. So, so important. We need to think smart about areas where our technological superiority, and nobody comes close, gives us an edge. This includes 3d printing, artificial intelligence, and cyber warfare. A great country also takes care of its warriors. Our commitment to them is absolute, and i mean absolute. A Trump Administration will give our servicemen and women the best equipment and support in the world, when they serve and where they serve. And the best care in the world, when they return as veterans and they come back home to civilian life. Our veterans [applause] mr. Trump our veterans have not been treated fairly or justly. These are our great people, and we must treat them fairly. We must even treat them really, really well, and that will happen, under the Trump Administration. [applause] mr. Trump finally, we must develop a Foreign Policy based on american interests. Businesses do not succeed when they lose sight of their core interests, and neither do countries. Look at what happened in the 1990s. Our embassies in kenya and tanzania and this was a horrible period of time for us were attacked. And 17 brave sailors were killed on the u. S. S. Cole. And what did we do . It seemed we put more effort into adding china into the world trade organization, which has been a total disaster for the United States. Frankly, we spent more time on that, than we did in stopping al qaeda. We even had an opportunity to take out osama bin laden, and we didnt do it. And then, we got hit at the World Trade Center and the pentagon. Again, the worst attack on our country, in its history. Our Foreign Policy goals must be based on americas core National Security interests. And the following will be my priorities. In the middle east, our goals must be, and i mean must be, to defeat terrorists and promote regional stability, not radical change. We need to be clearsighted about the groups that will never be anything other than enemies. And, believe me, we have groups that no matter what you do, they will be the enemy. We have to be smart enough to recognize who those groups are, who those people are, and not help them. And we must only be generous to those that prove they are indeed our friends. [applause] mr. Trump we desire to live peacefully and in friendship with russia and china. We have serious differences with these two nations, and must regard them with open eyes, but we are not bound to be adversaries. We should seek Common Ground, based on shared interests. Russia, for instance, has also seen the horror of islamic terrorism. I believe an easing of tensions, and improved relations with russia, from a position of strength only, is possible, absolutely possible. Common sense says this cycle, this horrible cycle of hostility , must end, and ideally will end soon. Good for both countries. Some say the russians wont be reasonable. I intend to find out. If we cant make a deal under my administration, a deal thats great not good, great for america, but also good for russia, then we will quickly walk from the table. Its as simple as that. Were going to find out. Fixing our relations with china is another important step and really toward creating an even more prosperous period of time. China respects strength and by letting them take advantage of us economically, which they are doing like never before, we have lost all of their respect. We have a massive trade deficit with china, a deficit that we have to find a way quickly, and i mean quickly, to balance. A strong and smart america is an america that will find a better friend in china, better than we have right now. Look at what china is doing in the south china sea. Theyre not supposed to be doing it. No respect for this country, or this president. We can both benefit, or we can both go our separate ways. If need be, thats whats going to have to happen. After im elected president , i will also call for a summit with our nato allies, and a separate summit with our asian allies. In these summits, we will not only discuss a rebalancing of financial commitments, but take a fresh look at how we can adopt new strategies for tackling our common challenges. For instance, we will discuss how we can upgrade natos outdated mission and structure, grown out of the cold war, to confront our shared challenges, including migration and islamic terrorism. [applause] mr. Trump i will not hesitate to deploy military force, when there is no alternative. But if america fights, it must only fight to win. [applause] mr. Trump i will never sent our finest into battle unless necessary, and i mean absolutely necessary, and will only do so if we have a plan for victory with a capital v. [applause] mr. Trump our goal is peace and prosperity, not war and destruction. The best way to achieve those goals is through a disciplined, deliberate and consistent Foreign Policy. With president obama and secretary clinton weve had the exact opposite a reckless, rudderless and aimless Foreign Policy, one that has blazed the path of destruction in its wake. After losing thousands of lives and spending trillions of dollars, we are in far worse shape in the middle east than ever, ever before. I challenge anyone to explain the strategic Foreign Policy vision of obama clinton. It has been a complete and total disaster. I will also be prepared to deploy americas economic resources. Financial leverage and sanctions can be very, very persuasive, but we need to use them selectively and with total determination. Our power will be used if others do not play by the rules. In other words, if they do not treat us fairly. Our friends and enemies must know that if i draw a line in the sand, i will enforce that lin