[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 18494-18495]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT T. SCHILLING

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 30, 2011

  Mr. SCHILLING. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, due to 
inclement weather in Chicago, Illinois that prevented my travel, I was 
unable to cast my votes for rollcall Nos. 860, 861, and 862. I was 
originally booked on United Flight 5327 from Moline at 9:24 a.m. (CST), 
connecting to United Flight 610 leaving O'Hare at 11:04 a.m. (CST) and 
arriving in DCA at 1:53 p.m. (EST). However, I could not make these 
flights due to my original flight from Moline not getting into ORD 
until 2:43 p.m., and subsequently having 3 connecting flights being 
cancelled, forcing me to get on the 6:30 p.m. (CST) United 509, 
arriving in DCA at 10:20 p.m. (EST).
  Had I been present, my votes would have been as follows:
  For rollcall No. 860, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to 
eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based 
immigrants, to increase the per-country numerical limitation for 
family-sponsored immigrants, and for other purposes, I would have voted 
``yea.'' This legislation would not increase the total yearly admission 
numbers, but it would increase the United States' competitiveness and 
contribute to growing our economy.
  For rollcall No. 861, to exempt for an additional 4-year period, from 
the application of the means-test presumption of abuse under chapter 7, 
qualifying members of reserve components of the Armed Forces and 
members of the National Guard who, after September 11, 2001, are called 
to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not less 
than 90 days, I would have voted ``yea.'' The brave men and women of 
our reserve components and National Guard, and their families, make 
incredible sacrifices so that we can be free. Many are called to duty 
unexpectedly which can hinder financial planning and place a burden on 
their families. This exemption should be extended to allow our citizen-
warriors time to readjust when they return home.
  For rollcall No. 862, which directs the Assistant Secretary of 
Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration [TSA])

[[Page 18495]]

to develop and implement a plan for expedited security screening 
services for uniformed Armed Forces members, and their families, 
traveling on official orders while in uniform through an airport, I 
would have voted ``yea.'' Again, we owe the brave men and women of our 
armed forces a tremendous debt of gratitude. Finding a faster way for 
them to complete the security screening process while they are in 
uniform and traveling on official orders is common sense.
  It is an honor to serve the people of the 17th Congressional District 
of Illinois.

                          ____________________