Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to stand before you and lead this Special Order tonight.

I have a message. That message is our Nation's higher education system is being purchased and manipulated by the Chinese Communist Party.

America needs a wake-up call. I thought that wake-up call would come in the form of a Chinese spy balloon. If it was the Chinese spy balloon sent to wake us up, it seems that America has hit the snooze button.

A few weeks ago, several members of the Education and the Workforce Committee were briefed on the scheme, the manipulation of the Chinese Communist Party on higher education in the USA, and we were all shocked. It was a shocking report, and we wanted to share the truth of how China is infiltrating and taking control over higher education in the United States.

Since 2013, $12 billion has poured into our higher education system from foreign sources. China is by far the largest of foreign donations since that time.

Between 2013 and 2020, U.S. universities accepted nearly a billion dollars from Chinese donations. The tuition paid by Chinese students is estimated to be over $12 billion per year. It is time we look at this influence and take it seriously.

It started over 20 years ago, Mr. Speaker, that China has been playing this game of infiltration, manipulation, and trying to purchase influence. It started with this game they play that they call the Confucius Institutes. These centers teach Chinese languages and culture but avoid discussing China's widespread human rights abuses and present Taiwan as undisputed Chinese territory.

They are simply a propaganda machine funded and directed by the Chinese Government, and we haven't even gotten started on what they are stealing from us, Mr. Speaker.

Tonight, members of the Education and the Workforce Committee and other invited Members are going to tell the story of just how far China has been infiltrating our university system. You are going to hear how top colleges and universities have not fully reported donations from foreign sources, including that of the Chinese Government.

You are going to hear the administration is not enforcing existing laws requiring full reporting of these foreign sources.

Universities, in their desire to seek donations from the public, sometimes unexpectedly or overtly take money from foreign sources and, in this case, many times from the Chinese Government.

You are going to hear also how the United States is losing the technology edge that we have long enjoyed for many years in computing, science, and engineering, all kinds of energy sources where we were the dominant player, but now because of theft and China's influence in our university system, those edges in technology are now leaning China's way. You are going to hear about that.

So, Mr. Speaker, as we begin tonight, I just want to say that it is long overdue that we hear the truth and we are fully aware how bad China is.

I would first yield a few minutes to the chair of Education and the Workforce Committee, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).

Dr. Foxx, thank you so much. You are doing such a great job as chairman of Education and the Workforce. Thank you for the opportunity to serve on that committee.

Thank you for highlighting the decades-long campaign that has manifested into bigger problems for America by the Chinese Communist Party.

America's education system is being purchased and manipulated by China. Since 2013, $12 billion has flooded in from foreign sources to U.S. colleges and universities, including more than a billion from communist China.

Rather than forcing colleges and universities to comply with reporting requirements under section 117 of the Higher Education Act, this administration is playing into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party by refusing to pursue enforcement.

For the past 2 years, Mr. Speaker, this administration has been trying to distract the American people of the very real threat China poses with its far-left policies. That ends tonight.

Up next to help spread the word of exactly how bad an actor China is, is my friend and colleague, the gentleman from California.

He is the chairman of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. Mr. Speaker, I yield 8 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Kiley).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Kiley).

Mr. Speaker, for those just tuning in, China is manipulating and trying to peddle influence among our higher universities, and Members are standing up and saying enough.

A few weeks ago, and to great amazement, we saw this Chinese spy balloon that cruised over our most sensitive sites in our country.

We were told we were blocking it from transmitting any data at the time, but now we have found that that spy balloon was transmitting pictures and information of our most sensitive military and nuclear sites in real time.

Who knows? I don't know if we will ever find out the true damage of that espionage break. Why on earth it wasn't shot down, I don't know. But what about the things we can't see? We can't see what China is doing to buy influence and to infiltrate our university systems.

Mr. Speaker, somebody that is going to tell us his angle on it is a gentleman who was part of a delegation that just last week went to Taiwan, went on an Asia tour to meet with leaders about just exactly what is going on over there.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Moran).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, our Nation's higher education system is being purchased and manipulated by the Chinese Communist Party. You have heard about it and we keep hearing about it. China can't keep up with our Nation's unrelenting free market system that is constantly innovating, so the only way they see to catch up with us is to cheat and steal our intellectual property and infiltrate our university systems and steal our discoveries. It has got to end.

Let's hear more about what China is doing to manipulate our university systems.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens), the distinguished chair of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development.

Mr. Speaker, our Nation's higher education system is being purchased and manipulated by the Chinese Communist Party. You have heard from various Members giving you details of how it is done, but we need somebody who can give us the big picture.

We need somebody who can give us big ideas. We need somebody who can give us big solutions. There is only one guy that can do that, Mr. Speaker.

I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs).

Mr. Speaker, our Nation's higher education system is being purchased and manipulated by the Chinese Communist Party. Tonight, you have heard from various members of a fantastic committee and other Members, led by Dr. Virginia Foxx, shining the light on just how bad it is, just how blind an eye that we have turned to it for the last 20 years.

We now realize through donations and purchases and influence in sending their kids here to school, as well as something called the Confucius Institutes, that it is all for the propaganda and a way for China to infiltrate and manipulate our higher education system.

Mr. Speaker, where do we go from here? We have work to do, including alerting America, which is what we are doing tonight, but also alerting our higher ed, our leadership in our universities and colleges, to let them be wary of any foreign donation coming into their institutions, particularly anything coming from China should be a red flag.

The Department of Education should immediately enforce existing laws. Should we make a new law? How about enforcing the laws that are already on the books requiring these institutions, some of the biggest names in higher ed, to report foreign gifts and grants?

The Biden administration should ban Confucius Institutes and all collaborations between U.S. institutions and Chinese entities affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of State Security immediately.

Congress should also consider withholding State and Federal funds from colleges and universities that resist efforts to eliminate CCP influence operations.

Lastly, the State Department--Mr. Biggs said it so well. The State Department must review applications from adversarial countries, including the CCP, the background and research plan of every applicant for a student visa. We need to say no. We need to say no to the CCP coming in, getting our information, and then going back home.

We have lots to do, but it starts with alerting the American people. We have done that tonight. The rest of the work is up to this Congress. It is up to the administration to enforce our laws and to hold these universities and China accountable for exactly what they are doing, which is manipulating and using undue influence in our higher education system. It stops now and going forward.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and memory of Commissioner Dale Dees from my hometown of Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Mr. Dees reminds me of an Alan Jackson country song, ``Small Town Southern Man.'' He was always proud of what he had, and he was raised on the ways of gentle kindness.

Mr. Dees was a lifelong resident of Fernandina Beach. He came from humble beginnings, and yet he was a man of great influence. His sincerity made everyone feel special.

As a young man, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving Uncle Sam. Once he completed his tour of duty, he devoted himself to his family's dry cleaner business and revolutionized dry cleaning in Fernandina Beach by opening a drive-through option. Eventually, he would open the town's first gun shop. He was a self-made businessman, and he understood the value of hard work.

His pride and joy was his family. Sharon was his beloved wife of 62 years and was his soulmate. Together they were blessed with two children, Mike and Michelle; son-in-law Shawn; two grandchildren, and great-grandson Kamden.

Dale exemplified the meaning of leadership, and he saw public service as a duty. He served two terms as commissioner for Fernandina Beach and strived to make a difference in the lives of everyone in the city.

Fernandina Beach has lost a pillar of its community. Dale will be dearly missed, and our condolences are with his family. He truly was a small town Southern man.

Mr. Chair, the question is: Is America's economy on the right track?

Eighty percent of Americans believe we are headed in the wrong direction.

In just 2 years, we have gone from being the world's leading energy exporter to a dependent energy importer. Since January 2021, electricity is up 24 percent and gasoline is up 51 percent.

Mr. Chair, it doesn't have to be this way. The United States has the resources, the know-how, and expertise to be, once again, an energy independent nation and an exporter of energy. American energy is not the enemy; it is the solution.

H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, is how we get America back on track. For too long, Mr. Chair, we have handcuffed ourselves when it comes to our oil and natural gas potential. I stand before you committed to unleash America's energy independence but also to unleash America's energy dominance.

Mr. Chair, a ``yes'' vote for H.R. 1 does just that.

Mr. Chair, should parents have the right to be involved in their child's education?

That is the question before us. Seventy-two percent of Americans have answered ``yes'' to that question. Parents should be and want to be involved in their child's education.

According to numerous studies, students who have involved parents have better behavior, better grades, better attendance, and develop a lifelong love of learning, which is the key to long-term success.

Today, American parents are fed up, largely because they have experienced 2 years of school closures, misguided COVID policies, disastrous remote learning, and a curriculum focused on what is woke rather than what is essential academic instruction. They have been branded ``domestic terrorists'' for speaking out at school boards. Some were even arrested for having the nerve to plead with school boards about the safety of their child at school.

Mr. Chair, it is time to re-welcome parents back into education. It is time for parents to have the right to know what is going on in American education today. That is why I--and I encourage everybody--to support H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, critical legislation that empowers parents and prioritizes the needs of students over entrenched special interest groups.

Today, this body has an extraordinary opportunity to reclaim the moral high ground in America and usher in a newer era of K-12 education that empowers parents, protects kids, and expands educational freedom.

American parents have said they want to be a part of their children's education. It is time for this body to say ``yes'' and support parents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate James Paul Loos III for his retirement from a lifetime of public service.

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Mr. Loos has dedicated his life to serving the great state of Florida and the United States of America. At the age of 20, he joined the Florida Air National Guard and obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant. However, this was just the beginning of his four decades of public service.

Throughout the last 40 years, Mr. Loos has served in the Florida Air National Guard, Clay County Sheriffs Office, Naval Support Activity, Department of Navy Police, and the Nassau County Sheriffs Office, where he spent 20 of those years.

At every step of his career, Mr. Loos continually received outstanding praise from his superior officers. Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper described Mr. Loos as having a heart for helping others, and he expressed gratitude for his tireless advocacy in keeping citizens safe.

Mr. Loos's commitment to serving his community, state, and country should be celebrated, and I am inspired by the example he is setting for the next generation of Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating a much- deserved retirement for James Paul Loos III, a true servant and patriot.

Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, I had the chance to visit the southern border for the very first time. It was truly educational.

I thank the people of southeast Texas who showed me the true impact of what it means to have an open border.

President Biden and his administration officials continue to tell the American people that the border is secure.

Tell that to the families of two Americans who were killed this week by a Mexican cartel.

Tell that to the record number of parents who have lost kids to fentanyl that was brought over the border.

Tell that to the countless public officials we met on that trip who were pleading with us to say that they are just overloaded. Their facilities are overcapacity, and they need help.

Mr. Speaker, I have been to the border, and tonight I am here to tell you that it is not secure.

Mr. Speaker, you know that it is not just a Texas problem; it is America's problem. We need to secure the border. Our national security depends on it.

Mr. Speaker, he is at it again. President Biden's war on America's energy continues.

It started on day one with the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline, and 2 years later, this administration is pushing environmental, social, and governance, or ESG, to clog America's oil and gas production.

The Department of Labor is seeking to weaponize American retirement funds as part of President Biden's anti-fossil fuel agenda, all at the expense of your retirement savings. ESG requirements not only exacerbate high energy costs but also contribute to inflationary woes and weaken our national security.

To be clear, ESG is more government control. ESG is less freedom for Americans. ESG simply is a woke capitalist scam posing as responsible corporate governance, which robs Americans of their hard-earned retirement investments.

It is time to stand against the progressive mob, which only wants an inch but seems to take a mile. Today, we are going to say no. We are going to draw the line and say it ends now.

It is time to stand against the progressive mob and safeguard our Nation's energy independence from the outstretched claws of ESG. A correct vote on the bill today is ``yes,'' as a ``yes'' vote today says no to ESG.

Mr. Speaker, as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, I rise today to honor the 2023 Florida Teacher of the Year, Melissa Anne Matz. A resident of Clay County and constituent of Florida's 4th Congressional District, Melissa was chosen from almost 185,000 public schoolteachers throughout the great State of Florida.

In addition to teaching seventh grade math at Lakeside Junior High School, Ms. Matz has served as the head of the entire math department since 2015. Additionally, she has gone above and beyond while serving as the chairperson for Lakeside's School Advisory Committee and a leadership team member.

Ms. Matz now serves as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, where she helps to raise public awareness for the outstanding teachers in Florida. As the 2023 Teacher of the Year, she will receive an award from the Florida Department of Education, a tuition waiver to pursue a graduate degree, and a two-year Florida College scholarship to present to a student of her choice.

Ms. Matz's commitment to her students, the community, and the State of Florida will have a lasting impact on a future generation of leaders ready to take on the world's challenges. My colleagues and I on the Committee on Education and Workforce are inspired by the work of this exceptional educator.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all of my colleagues in Congress join me in honoring the 2023 Florida Teacher of the Year, Ms. Melissa Anne Matz.

Madam Speaker, I have breaking news: The pandemic has ended. It seems that everyone knows the pandemic is over, except the White House.

Despite the fact that the President said in an interview last September on ``60 Minutes'' the pandemic has ended,

the public health emergency has been extended again for the twelfth time.

Madam Speaker, it is past time to end this blatant Federal overreach, and that is exactly what we are going to do. This week, House Republicans will vote to repeal the public health emergency, stop the forced vaccination of our healthcare workers, and finally get Federal workers back to their offices to serve the American people.

It is time to restore individual liberty to the American people so the American people, not the Federal Government, can make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the work of Mr. Brady Glen White, a senior at Fleming Island High School and one of two high school students selected for the United States Senate Youth Program representing State of Florida.

Every year, two students from each state are selected to be part of the national student delegation that travel to Washington, D.C. to attend meetings and briefings to better understand our exemplary system of government. Additionally, those selected will receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship provided by The Hearst Foundations.

To be eligible, students must rank in the top one percent of all juniors and seniors in their states while displaying remarkable leadership and commitment to volunteer work. Students are nominated by teachers and principals, and all nominations are confirmed by the chief state school officer for each jurisdiction.

A Clay County native and member of Florida's Fourth Congressional District, Brady has proven to not only excel as student, but he has emerged as a servant leader in his community. While ranking in the top one percent of all high school juniors and seniors in Florida, Brady serves as the elected chairman of the Clay County Superintendent's Advisory Council.

In addition, he is the only student on the board of the Clay Education Foundation nonprofit. Upon graduating Fleming Island High School, Brady plans to pursue both a study in political science and a law degree. Furthermore, he hopes to join the Armed Services as a JAG officer.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in Congress join me in celebrating and congratulating the work of Brady Glen White, a true leader with an incredibly bright future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to wish you and all Americans a happy Celebrate Literacy Week.

The Florida Department of Education has designated this week as a week to focus on reading, but you don't have to be from Florida to celebrate reading. All Americans can work to inspire students and families to make reading a part of their daily routines and install a lifelong love of reading.

This year's theme is ``Take a Deep Dive Into Literacy--Splash Into New Worlds.'' Fitting with the theme, I was honored and proud to read ``Pirate Pete's Talk Like a Pirate'' to the fourth grade classes at Yulee Elementary School in northeast Florida.

Yulee Elementary School is an outstanding, rated-A school based on the Florida School Accountability Reports. This school is led by Principal Bryce Cubbal and Assistant Principal Tara Libby. These educators are to be commended for the fantastic things they are doing for our students.

Madam Speaker, they say reading is fundamental, but I will say that it is

only fundamental if we encourage reading. I encourage everybody that if you get a chance to read to a young person, do it. It will be good for them and for you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Marine TSgt (retired) James Madison ``Jim'' Thomas, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather, veteran, first responder, and dedicated public servant. At 101 years young, Jim was a pillar of the community. He served as Chairman of the Nassau County Commission, Chairman of the School Board, a Nassau County Sherriff's Deputy, and a Marine Tech Sergeant.

He was born in Yulee, Florida and was the son of the late David M. and Chal Treatie May Thomas. He attended school in Yulee and would eventually earn his GED after joining the U.S. Marine Corps.

Jim's love for his country was unparalleled. At the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps before the beginning of World War II. Jim was a highly decorated combat veteran of World War II and the Battle of Guadalcanal serving with the 1st Marine Division, 1st Expeditionary Force, 1st Combat Engineer Pioneer Battalion--nicknamed ``The Super Breed.'' His battalion was awarded The Presidential Unit Citation for their extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions. Jim was honorably discharged at the rank of Technical Sergeant with over 14 years of service to the nation. Never someone who would accept accolades for his military service--he would quickly reply, ``I was just doing my duty.''

Jim returned home to Nassau County and quickly became an integral part of the community. Through the years he served Nassau County in a variety of ways. He worked for the School Board as Maintenance Supervisor, and the Nassau County Sheriff's Office as a Juvenile Officer. Along with being a Sheriff's Deputy, he was elected to the School Board. During his tenure, he was instrumental in constructing 2 new schools in his first 4 years--Emma Love Hardee Elementary and Callahan Elementary.

He went on to serve the community as the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. When asked to describe his most rewarding act as a commissioner, it was a quick and easy response. He was responsible for the monument that is standing today at the base of Center Street to publicly display the names of residents who gave their life in the service to our country.

Jim was also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach where he taught Sunday School and was an Elder and Deacon.

Jim served his God, his family, his community, and his country with honor and devotion.

In addition to his parents and his siblings, Jim was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Ann Thomas, a son, Phillip Terry Thomas and a son-in-law, Fred Armstrong. He leaves behind his 3 daughters, Linda Armstrong, Brenda Wall and her husband, James, and Beth McDonald and her husband, Larry, all of Fernandina Beach as well as a daughter-in- law, Alicia Thomas of Glen St. Mary; 17 grandchildren; 39 great- grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren and a large extended family.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in Congress join me in celebrating and honoring the life of James Madison ``Jim'' Thomas, a leader, a believer, a patriot, and a friend to so many. Jim will be greatly missed, but fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Mr. Speaker, I wish a very good morning to you and to the House of Representatives.

I am Aaron Bean. I am one of the new guys. Aside from a motion to adjourn earlier this week, this right now is the very first time I am speaking on this floor, and I want to say what an honor it is to be with everyone in this body.

To the people of northeast Florida--and specifically the brand new Fourth District of the free State of Florida--I say that I am humbled and grateful that you sent me here to be your voice on this floor.

I am keenly aware of the amazing opportunity it is as well as the responsibilities it comes with.

I am also, Mr. Speaker, keenly aware that our country and Nation have challenges--lots of them. The border and our growing deficit are just the tip of the iceberg.

So I say to all the Members here, I look forward to working with you, tackling these challenges, and making America more secure, safer, and stronger.

Mr. Speaker, let's go get `em.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 9 o'clock and 40 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.