WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm William B. “Bill” Kilbride to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors:

“I am thrilled to hear that the Senate voted to confirm Bill Kilbride to the TVA Board of Directors,” said Congressman Fleischmann. “I know Bill will bring an abundance of knowledge and expertise to the TVA Board. From his track record of success at Mohawk Industries, to his time leading the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce to be recognized as the 2017 Chamber of the Year, Bill has demonstrated he knows how successful businesses work and how to take great organizations to new heights. President Trump could not have nominated a better individual, and I look forward to witnessing all he does for the Tennessee Valley.”

CHATTANOOGA, TN – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) released the following statement after the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) project was awarded a Discretionary Grant totaling $2,200,000.00 from the Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The funds are part of the FTA’s Low-or No-Emission (Low-No) Program and were awarded to 38 projects nationwide totaling $84.9 million in FY2019. To improve the efficiency and technology of modern transportation, the program provides funding for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses in addition to costs associated with supporting facilities.

“The grant announcement for the acquisition of new zero-emission and low-emission transit buses is excellent news as America’s greatest midsize city continues to flourish. New buses will enable CARTA to provide increased, modernized transportation options for Chattanoogans while creating job opportunities and attracting entrepreneurship to our region. I thank Secretary Chao and the Department of Transportation for their investment in Chattanooga’s transportation infrastructure; one that will pay dividends for years to come.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement after voting in support of H.R. 3375, the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act:

"East Tennesseans are frustrated with the rise of annoying and disruptive robocalls. Worse than being an interruption to daily life, the perpetrators behind these illegal calls are often scammers trying to steal personal information. I was proud to cosponsor this bipartisan solution that will require the FCC to strengthen consumer protections, ensure calls are verified, and most importantly, stop the headaches that this abuse has caused millions of Americans.”

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 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Top Republican on the House Appropriations Homeland Security subcommittee, delivered the following opening remarks during a subcommittee hearing with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost. Congressman Fleischmann’s remarks discuss the challenges CBP agents face when addressing the crisis at our southern border.

Congressman Fleischmann’s opening remarks can be found below or here.

Prepared remarks can be found below.

“Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.

Chief Provost, thank you for being here to testify today on the challenges you and your agents are facing at our Southwest Border.  This is an important hearing and I hope my colleagues welcome the chance to hear directly from the Border Patrol about the numbers of people arriving at the U.S. and why there are so many people at the border stations.

This fiscal year alone, your agents have processed more people than reside in the State of Wyoming.  Or the State of Vermont.  Perhaps by the end of July, it will be more than the District of Columbia, the State of Alaska, or North Dakota.  Those numbers are staggering. 

I was able to go to the border this year and see first-hand some of what your people are facing every day.  I know the situation has become more challenging every week as the numbers have increased.  And I know that the officers I met are dedicated people, doing their best, to rise to meet this crisis.  I was very impressed with their honesty and their dedication to the mission of C.B.P.

I think we all agree that camping out in an overcrowded border station office is not the best place for children.  That’s why H.H.S. is supposed to take those kids in as soon as they have a place available.  But when H.H.S. ran out of money, they couldn’t take the kids. 

Adults shouldn’t be camping out in overcrowded border stations, either.  I think we all agree with the IG’s findings – it’s not a safe situation for either the migrants or the Border Patrol Agents.  That’s why ICE is in charge of migrant detention in this country.  But, when ICE doesn’t have enough money or bed space, they can’t take the adults. 

What you’re left with is overcrowded border stations because the law doesn’t give you much choice.

The answer isn’t more tents and more meals.  We need to take a comprehensive approach to this problem to address the patchwork of laws, practices, rules, and rulings that make up today’s immigration and asylum structures.  Until we are willing to do that, I fear we will never really solve the humanitarian crisis we have today.  I hope everyone at this dais came to the hearing to solve problems.

Chief Provost, I thank you for meeting with me yesterday.  I learned a lot from our conversation.  Please pass along my gratitude to the men and women of the Border Patrol for their work. 

I’m very much looking forward to your testimony. 

Thank you, and I yield back my time.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement after voting in support of H. Res. 246, a resolution opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement targeting Israel:

“The BDS movement is rooted in anti-Semitic hatred and aims to undermine and isolate our greatest ally in the Middle East. Tonight, I voted for a measure to condemn this deeply disturbing anti-Israel movement. While this resolution is a good first step, it is not enough.

To take stronger action in support of Israel, I cosponsored H.R. 336 – legislation that would take tangible steps to disavow anti-Semitism and combat the BDS movement. The Senate’s version of this legislation passed with bipartisan support, but action has stalled in the House due to Democrats’ intraparty disfunction and blatant rise of anti-Israel sentiments. While they continue to struggle with their radical left, I will join with my House Republican colleagues to protect our longstanding moral and strategic alliance with the Jewish people.”

Background: Congressman Fleischmann and 195 House Republicans signed a discharge petition to bring H.R.336, the Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act of 2019, to the House Floor for a vote. The Senate’s version, S.1, received broad bipartisan support with 77 votes.  

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement in remembrance of the five service members who lost their lives in the July 16, 2015 terror attack in Chattanooga, TN:

“Four years ago, tragedy struck East Tennessee when an unconscionable act of terror claimed the lives of five servicemen. I ask for your prayers as the wounds in our community continue to heal. Today, we honor the memory of the Fallen Five: Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan, Sergeant Carson Holmquist, Lance Corporal Squire Skip Wells, Staff Sergeant David Wyatt, and Navy Petty Officer Second Class Randall Smith. May their loved ones find peace knowing these patriots will forever be remembered as heroes today and every day.”

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WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) attended the White House’s Made in America event in support of an East Tennessee small business, Lightspeed Bicycles. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lightspeed’s revolutionary handmade titanium frames offer cyclists an unparallel riding experience utilizing state-of-the-art technology. Congressman Fleischmann released the following statement regarding Lightspeed’s attendance at the Made in America event:

“I applaud Lightspeed Bikes for their dedication to preserving the American standard of manufacturing and for illustrating the innovative spirit of hardworking East Tennesseans,” said Congressman Fleischmann. “Over the past thirty years, Lightspeed has embodied the power of small businesses and the promise of American entrepreneurship. I am proud to have their facility in my district and look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the future.”

The Made in America event takes place at the White House to honor American excellence in manufacturing and craftsmanship. All 50 states have American made-products on display. A picture from the event can be found here.

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CHATTANOOGA, TN – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) issued the following statement upon learning about the passing of former Hamilton County Commissioner Curtis Adams:

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of a fine gentleman, a dear friend, and a great public servant, Curtis Adams. For over two decades, our community was strengthened by his leadership, enthusiasm, and dedication to the residents of Hamilton County. His love for East Tennesseans radiated in everything he did and will forever be his lasting legacy. He will be sorely missed.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Homeland Security subcommittee, issued the following statement after voting in support of the Senate-amended Border Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill:

“After 57 days, it is good news that a number of Democrats prioritized the needs of our country and joined Republicans to do what we have been asking of them all along – address the crisis at our southern border. This bill is necessary to provide humanitarian care, resources for child welfare, and relief to the law enforcement officers who are working around the clock to protect our sovereignty. Not only does this bill provide care for minors but it also combats human trafficking with resources to detect fraudulent asylum claims. This is critical to stem the tide of illegal immigration and disincentivize the use of children as pawns to get across our border.

“Additional resources and assistance are urgently needed but it is also important that we continue conversations about comprehensive immigration reform – wall included – in the months ahead. Time is of the essence so let’s get this bill to the President’s desk and deliver humanitarian aid to our southern border now.”

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 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Homeland Security subcommittee, issued the following statement in opposition to Democrats’ border emergency supplemental appropriations bill:

“The Administration has been more than transparent in the urgent need for additional assistance at the border beginning with their request for $4.5 billion for emergency humanitarian aid over one month ago. Additionally, Department officials have been forthcoming in their efforts to provide firsthand testimony – politics aside – to Members on both sides of the aisle.

“Democrats’ emergency funding bill underfunds necessary agencies, omits additional aid for enforcement resources and does not provide for family verification methods to combat fraudulent asylum claims. There should be no ambiguity about the severity of the crisis. We need a complete border supplemental bill providing relief and resources for all the agencies working at the border and within the country. Democrats should stop the political games and provide long overdue humanitarian aid.”

Earlier, Congressman Fleischmann’s spoke in opposition to the bill. 

Excerpts from Congressman Fleischmann’s remarks can be found below.

“At the time we crafted the fiscal year 2019 regular appropriations bill, we could not have predicted the sheer mass of people pouring across the border this spring and summer.

But this fiscal year, Customs and Border Patrol encountered almost 700 thousand people. 

That’s double the amount in all the previous fiscal year, and we still have three months to go. 

Further, we are not talking about separating children.  We are talking about children coming without parents who can care for them.  We can’t just let kids wander the streets. 

We need to ensure HHS has the space and the capacity to find sponsors or suitable homes for these kids. 

DHS cannot wait another month for funds, and DHS definitely cannot wait on Health and Human Services to receive more funds.

We need a complete border supplemental bill providing relief and resources for all the agencies working at the border and within the country to work through the number of migrants coming across our Southern Border. 

That includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and that includes the Department of Defense. 

Further, we need a supplemental bill that doesn’t throw up roadblocks to implementing the aid we are trying to deliver. 

I urge the House to instead take up a more bi-partisan bill that would also pass the Senate and get signed by the President by Friday.”

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